Mizzou’s techiest tools

October 09, 2024

From virtual reality to robots, Tigers have access to the latest technology across campus. Check out some of the locations, tools and devices that will level up your college experience at Mizzou.

Two graduate students test VR technology in Khaza Anuarul Hoque's lab.
Two graduate students test VR technology in Khaza Anuarul Hoque’s lab.

Oct. 9, 2024
Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu
Photos by Abbie Lankitus, Sam O’Keefe and CJ Harris

Technology empowers you to discover new possibilities. Change reality. Turn big, bold ideas into life-changing innovations.

The University of Missouri ensures students have access to the power of technology. From robots and drones to virtual reality and simulation labs, Mizzou is home to the latest gadgets, devices and systems that are transforming the world. This next-generation equipment lets students learn by doing — a process we call the Missouri Method.

Ready to geek out? Here are some of the techiest tools on campus.

researcher in the Cave
The CAVE

Step into another world. Literally. In the Computer Assisted Virtual Environment, or CAVE, students can peer inside unlimited virtual settings. This innovative facility includes adjustable walls, motion sensors and stereo sound to provide virtual 3D surroundings. Students and faculty have used the Mizzou CAVE to model urban cities, visualize how cyclones form and see the inner workings of tiny molecules.

Location: The Center for Cyber Education, Research and Infrastructure (Mizzou CERI), Lafferre Hall
Available to: Students working with engineering faculty or collaborators

Spot in the Spot lab
Spot

Mizzou is home to four Spots, the autonomous dog-like robots from Boston Dynamics that can be programmed to navigate spaces, climb stairs and even perform alongside Marching Mizzou and the Golden Girls. Spot gives undergraduate students the opportunity to learn programming and autonomous systems while working with robotics. 

Location: Lafferre Hall
Available to: Engineering students

Person next to 7-Tesla magnetic resource imaging scanner (7T MRI)
7-Tesla magnetic resource imaging scanner (7T MRI)

Heavier than 15 mid-size cars, the Siemens Healthineers MAGNETOM 7T MRI offers more than double the magnetic field strength of conventional scanners, allowing researchers to see in greater detail the structures associated with neurological diseases and conditions affecting muscles and joints. While researchers use the 7T MRI to acquire and analyze images, students have opportunities to work with Siemens, an industry partner, on projects around the scanner.

Location: Roy Blunt NextGen Health building
Available to: Students working in medicine, engineering and related fields

journalism student with drone technology on University of Missouri campus
Missouri School of Journalism drones

Prepare to take the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107 Certification Exam, become a co-pilot and compete for the prestigious title of Top Drone. The drone journalism course at the Missouri School of Journalism provides hands-on flight training as students learn to use drones to capture aerial photos and videos. While you can’t operate your personal drone on campus, there are plenty of opportunities to work with drone technology at Mizzou, including in the College of Engineering.

Location: Students in the class fly drones around Francis Quadrangle and other locations around Columbia
Available to: Students in the drone journalism course

This story was excerpted from a publication on Show Me Mizozu. Click here to read the full story about 16 pieces of technology available to students on the University of Missouri campus.