Dexter is a Go2 quadruped robot developed by Unitree, and one of the latest robotics platforms available at the Software Research Institute (SRI) and COMAND Technology Gateway, based at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Athlone Campus. COMAND is a member of Enterprise Ireland’s Technology Gateway Network and part of the Applied IoT Cluster, providing cutting-edge research and development capabilities in robotics, AI, and smart manufacturing.
Dexter has been enhanced with additional controls and features to support a wide range of use cases including education, public engagement, and applied R&D. The robot is used to demonstrate the practical applications of modern robotics, showcasing key capabilities such as:
- Terrain navigation
- Object tracking
- Voice command recognition
- Real-time environmental mapping
These demonstrations help bring robotics to life for students, industry partners, and the wider public, offering an engaging, hands-on introduction to AI-driven automation and intelligent systems.
Dexter plays an essential role in public outreach and industry engagement, helping to demystify complex technologies and illustrate the power of applied robotics in real-world scenarios. He has become a popular and effective tool for showcasing how AI and robotics can be harnessed across sectors like smart manufacturing, infrastructure inspection, and even security and surveillance.
While Dexter is not currently involved in the COMAND team’s imitation learning research, similar platforms have been used to explore how robots can learn from human behaviour, a critical step in the development of adaptive, intelligent systems. Equipped with onboard sensors and a camera, Dexter also offers potential for advanced R&D in areas such as:
- Infrastructure inspection
- Hazardous environment monitoring
- Autonomous surveillance systems
About COMAND and SRI
Dexter is part of the broader innovation ecosystem at TUS, supported by both the Software Research Institute (SRI) and COMAND Gateway. The SRI has been a centre of excellence in applied digital technologies since 2006, with expertise in cybersecurity, edge computing, telecommunications, robot learning, and AI.
COMAND, established in 2013 as an Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway, is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021–27. Together, SRI and COMAND are home to a team of over 30 engineers, researchers, and PhD students delivering near-to-market R&D and innovation support to Irish industry.
Through the Applied IoT Cluster, COMAND collaborates with five other Gateways to offer companies access to deep technical expertise across IoT, robotics, data analytics, and smart systems. Businesses benefit from cost-effective, flexible R&D support that helps them test, refine, and implement new technologies without expanding their internal teams.
For more information on how COMAND and the Applied IoT Cluster can support your innovation journey, visit: www.technologygateway.ie
Pictured above: Left to right: Franklin Silva and Anthony Cunningham, COMAND Technology Gateway with Dr Yuansong Qiao, SRI and Dexter the robot.