Get Ready to Meet Rubo: A Next-Generation Embodied AI Robot for Library and Campus Support

Stony Brook University Libraries, in collaboration with colleagues from Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Technology and Society, have been awarded $298,000 through the President’s Fast Impact Fund, with support from the Provost’s Office, to develop Rubo, an embodied AI robot designed for real-world campus environments.

This project is among first-of-its-kind initiatives in academic libraries worldwide. There are only a handful of experimental uses of humanoid robots in libraries, across both public and research settings. To date, there has been no deployment that combines a humanoid robot with embodied AI, conversational systems, and real-world service integration such as directional support and wayfinding, multilingual accessibility, and a cross-disciplinary research platform within a single initiative. Rubo positions Stony Brook at the forefront of this emerging space. 

From Chatbots to Physical AI

Rubo brings AI out of the screen and into physical space. Designed to operate in high-traffic areas such as the university library and major campus events, Rubo will provide face-to-face assistance, real-time question answering, and conversational support.

Unlike traditional chatbots, Rubo will engage users directly – bridging the gap between digital services and in-person interactions, and redefining how campus communities access information and support.

Building on Library Innovation

The Libraries are uniquely positioned to lead this work, building on a strong foundation of AI development and infrastructure, including:

• Locally hosted, open-source large language models
• Dedicated AI development environments
• Cross-functional teams combining technical, policy, and user experience expertise
• A chatbot system currently under development will serve as the foundation for Phase I testing, accelerating Rubo’s deployment and integration.

Meeting Real Campus Needs

Initial deployment will focus on high-traffic library environments, where demand for assistance is significant. During FY2024-2025, the Libraries recorded approximately 13,000 in-person directional questions across more than 2 million visits.

Rubo is designed to:

• Answer common questions in real time
• Support multiple languages
• Provide both audio and text-based interaction to enhance accessibility
• Assist with wayfinding and general inquiries
• Support student onboarding and campus events

A Platform for Learning, Research, and Innovation

Beyond its immediate service role, Rubo is envisioned as a cross-disciplinary platform for experimentation, teaching, and research.

The project will:

• Enable hands-on student engagement through the Libraries’ mini makerspace (CAT Lab)
• Support AI-focused programming, clubs, and literacy initiatives
• Create opportunities for collaboration across engineering, social sciences, and humanities
• Provide a testbed for exploring the future of physical AI in public-facing environments

Looking Ahead

Rubo is an intentionally experimental initiative. There are few benchmarks in this space, and the project will evolve through iterative development, testing, and collaboration.

More updates will follow as Rubo moves into development and pilot deployment.