Greg Armstrong (manager) and Leonardo Mouta (student worker) calibrate robots in the AI Maker Space.
At the Carnegie Mellon University AI Maker Space, interdisciplinary collaboration thrives. Here, a biology student might work alongside a computer science major, while across the room, a business student brainstorms with an artist. The only prerequisite? Curiosity.
In November of 2021, CMU opened the 1,900-square-foot AI Maker Space within the Tepper School of Business to encourage students and faculty from all disciplines to engage in AI innovation and experimentation. In 2024, the space is just as bustling as three years ago, with students and faculty merging minds over several different projects.
Student workers support the everyday functions of the AI Maker Space. MRSD student Leonardo Mouta has worked at the maker space since September 2023 and provided insight into what it offers.
“Robots are expensive. If you have an idea and you want to test it out on the robot, you’ve got to find a research lab that will let you do it,” said Mouta. “The Makerspace’s purpose is to allow students to test their software on a multitude of equipment. It offers an opportunity for all students to get acquainted with AI and robotics and all sorts of software programming that they might want to explore.”
As one example of the Maker Space’s interdisciplinary effectiveness, students from the CMU School of Design used robotic arms to help choreograph dances, with the goal of showing the possible creative pathways one can take with human robot interaction. Anyone within or outside of SCS has the opportunity to explore the same thing, or ideas of their very own. 
“We do offer a reservation system, but if there’s no one using the robots you can just walk in,” said Mouta. “The only thing we do require is that some of the robots have safety courses involved that you have to take before you can use them.”
Students from all disciplines come together to brainstorm ideas and bring them to life.
Mouta specializes in creating introduction documents for those who do not have a background in robotics. He emphasized that he, his coworkers, and manager Greg Armstrong have all drawn inspiration from those who choose to utilize the Maker Space, whether it’s to use one of the machines or simply brainstorm ideas. The team continually emphasized their willingness to introduce anyone to the world of robotics.
“The purpose of our maker space is to give people experience,” said Mouta. “If you don’t know robotics, if you don’t know programming, the staff is more than glad to help you out. We have documents to explain the robots and systems. We can point you in the right direction.”
Whether a student is troubleshooting code or brainstorming a new design, the AI Maker Space provides not just the tools, but the support network to help students grow through trial and error.
“Keep trying, keep trying. It is worth it. It is worth it when you get your project moving on an actual machine,” said Mouta, echoing the space’s mission of hands-on learning.
Visit the AI Maker Space site to reserve equipment, space, or for any inquiries.
For More Information: Aaron Aupperlee | 412-268-9068 | aaupperlee@cmu.edu