BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//UM//UM*Events//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Detroit
TZURL:http://tzurl.org/zoneinfo/America/Detroit
X-LIC-LOCATION:America/Detroit
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20070311T020000
RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYMONTH=3;BYDAY=2SU
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20071104T020000
RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYMONTH=11;BYDAY=1SU
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260310T115242
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260311T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260311T110000
SUMMARY:Presentation:Prehensile Contact Modeling and Perception for Dexterous Manipulation
DESCRIPTION:Chair: Nima Fazeli\nMarch 11\, 2026\, 9am\nFord Robotics Building 2300 and on Zoom\n\nAbstract\nContact is central to dexterous manipulation\, yet it remains one of the hardest aspects of robotics to model\, control\, and perceive. In this dissertation\, we investigate how robots can better reason about prehensile contact through a unified perspective of modeling\, action\, and perception.\n\nWe develop analytical models for frictional patch contact in planar manipulation\, show how fingertip micro-vibrations can enable in-hand object reconfiguration with simple grippers\, and present a multimodal framework that combines vision and active audio sensing to estimate contact under occlusion. We also explore a vibration-based tactile sensing direction for inferring touch location and force from structured acoustic signals.\n\nTogether\, these contributions help make contact-rich manipulation more predictable\, observable\, and effective\, advancing robotic systems that can interact more robustly with the physical world.
UID:146406-21899047@events.umich.edu
URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/146406
CLASS:PUBLIC
STATUS:CONFIRMED
CATEGORIES:Michigan Robotics,Robotics
LOCATION:Ford Robotics Building - 2300
CONTACT:
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20251215T163232
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260311T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260311T170000
SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition
DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape.
UID:142768-21891388@events.umich.edu
URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768
CLASS:PUBLIC
STATUS:CONFIRMED
CATEGORIES:Art,ArtsEngine,Culture,Detroit,Exhibition,Free,Humanities,North Campus,Visual Arts
LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery
CONTACT:
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR