From Retro to Robots
Bringing Robotics and History Together at Louisiana’s Old Governor’s Mansion
Amir Jafari
8/2/20261 min read
On August 2, 2026, we had the privilege of partnering with the Louisiana Old Governor’s Mansion to host From Retro to Robots, a community outreach event that brought together history, engineering, robotics, and immersive technology in a way that made STEM accessible to visitors of all ages.
Organized in collaboration with the LSU College of Engineering's Department of Construction Management, the event transformed one of Louisiana's most historic landmarks into an interactive technology showcase. More than a traditional exhibition, the goal was to demonstrate how emerging technologies can enrich education, preserve cultural heritage, and inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators.
Throughout the afternoon, visitors explored a variety of hands-on experiences developed by our team, including:
Social robots that welcomed guests and assisted with guided tours throughout the mansion.
Mobile robots, robotic manipulators, and quadruped robots that demonstrated the latest advances in autonomous and teleoperated robotic systems.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) experiences that allowed participants to interact with robots and explore immersive digital environments.
Live demonstrations of robotic manipulation and teleoperation technologies.
Interactive construction equipment activities designed to introduce younger visitors to construction engineering concepts.
3D printing demonstrations, where visitors watched objects being fabricated layer by layer and took home custom-printed souvenirs.
Exhibits highlighting the evolution of technology, connecting historical artifacts such as vintage telephones and typewriters with today's rapidly advancing robotics technologies.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the event was seeing families, children, and community members engage directly with technologies that are often confined to research laboratories. Many visitors experienced robotics, VR, and robotic manipulation for the first time, asking thoughtful questions and discovering how these technologies are shaping the future of construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and everyday life.
We look forward to continuing to build partnerships that bring robotics, immersive technologies, and construction innovation into our communities while inspiring future engineers and researchers.
