Technology and the Future of Work: A Cross-Cultural Collaboration

Dr. Sidy Ndao (left) speaking to Georgetown University students (right) about CAYTU (Photo courtesy of DAUST official photographer)

In the SFS’s new Centennial Lab class, Technology and the Futures of Work, students had the opportunity to travel to Dakar, Senegal during spring break from March 1, 2024, to March 10, 2024. The class focused on cross-cultural collaboration for a project that involves remotely maneuvering a robot for coffee delivery in the Intercultural Center (ICC). Students have been deeply engaged in the planning and demo process of the project in collaboration with the Dakar American University of Science and Technology (DAUST), a premier engineering institution located in Senegal’s capital. During the trip, Georgetown students traveled to DAUST daily to collaborate with students majoring in mechanical engineering, mathematics, and physics to design the interface of the project. 

The president of DAUST, Dr. Sidy Ndao, is also the founder of a startup in Dakar called CAYTU, a word that translates to “research” in Wolof. CAYTU supplied the robot for the Georgetown and DAUST collaboration which was then transported across the globe to campus with the Georgetown students. Some DAUST students work at CAYTU alongside their studies, which has helped with the technical integration of the robot. 

Georgetown and DAUST students spent time collecting data and practicing real-life project development and management skills. In the coming weeks, Georgetown and DAUST students will conduct trials and demonstrations to deliver coffee with the robot in the ICC while it is being remotely controlled by students in Senegal. 

Aside from working on this project, visiting Georgetown students were able to see and interact with various historical sites as well as gain a deeper understanding of international technological development in Senegal. From seeing Chinese supercomputers to visiting drone testing labs, the trip was extremely well-curated by the hosts at DAUST. When the DAUST students visit D.C. during their spring break in April, they will be able to visit technological headquarters in the city, explore scientific museums in their field, and stay in Georgetown. 

As the robot completes its final testing and development stages, Georgetown and DAUST students are hoping to engage the Georgetown student population to experience the future of work and automation. Stop by the ICC on Wednesday, April 3rd, and April 10th from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. to see the robot in action!