Researchers in the Digital Knowledge Center of the Milton S. Eisenhower Library have developed, in cooperation with engineers from the Whiting School of Engineering, a working prototype of a library retrieval robot, which is called Comprehensive Access to Print Materials, or CAPM.

As more and more print materials are moved to off site storage facilities, research universities face the challenge of maintaining large collections of materials, while maintaining access by library users. The CAPM robot, which can now retrieve materials from a test storage shelf and deliver it to a scanning bed, will one day be able to retrieve and scan materials, based on users' requests.

To learn more and to see the robot in action, watch the following short video or the simulation.

(Both presentations required a Real Player. Real Networks offers a free version of their player, if your computer doesn't have it. Newer computers come bundled with this players, but those with older computers may need to download the player.)

Click here to download the free RealPlayer,

View the video.

View a simulation of the robot.