Meet Blue, the AI robot dog who's getting HBCU students excited about tech in Nashville

Blue is such a good boy.

Surrounded by best friends, he prances down a hallway, his thin, carbon fiber legs rhythmically tap, tap, tapping the shinny floor. He moves forward, then backward, setting up several rounds of zoomies.

He’s on the floor now, rolling over. When his 25.4 x 11.0 x 15.7-inch, 2.7-pound frame hits the deck, it sounds like he may be damaged. Even broken. Nope. After a few seconds, his paws are in the air. Cute.

Embracing the attention, Blue rolls upright and surveys his surroundings through five cameras installed on his head, shoulders and tail; they create a 360-degree view of his surroundings. More zoomies. He then stands up on his hind legs, exposing his gray underbelly as he gestures with his front paws.

Blue — a Unitree Go1 Pro robot dog purchased six months ago by Tennessee State University — is quickly becoming a popular tech ambassador on and off the campus of the historically Black college. That’s the point: to allow current and prospective students to witness the possibilities of technology careers, from network architects to software developers.

One dog trick at a time.

"It's empowerment, as well as being ready for the new, technical, digital workplace," said Robbie K. Melton, the university's interim provost and vice president of academic affairs and technology innovations.

"If we are not at the table in terms of the creation of AI technology, then we will have more of a digital divide than ever. We want to be a part of the innovation."

This is important because Blacks comprise just 8 percent of employees in tech jobs, according to a McKinsey analysis. The percentage shrinks when analyzing technology executives (3%), according to a McKinsey analysis of Fortune 500 executives.

OPINION: Pay TSU the $2.1 billion it’s owed and watch HBCU students flourish and benefit Tennessee

MORE ON TSU: 'It's family': Why TSU homecoming is more than a football game

In Nashville, Melton helped program Blue after he arrived on campus, coding that taught him not only to walk up stairs, roll over and dance, but through prompt learning, to react quicker and adjust for multiple commands.

While Unitree Go1 Pros are equipped out the box with standard capabilities, just as with a real dog, Blue must be trained. He can also be coded for specific venue restrictions and reactions. All for Tennessee State students to witness — Melton's strategy to ensure HBCUs and the communities they influence are in step with future careers.

With Blue as the most visible stakeholder at Tennessee State's Immersive Technology Division and the Global SMART Technology and Innovation Center.

Cost: $2,500.

Blue recently enjoyed his biggest public appearance to date — at Tennessee State's 2023 homecoming parade in Nashville. From 14th and Jefferson streets to 33rd Avenue North and John Merritt Boulevard, he completed the entire parade route, entertaining an unsuspecting crowd with an array of tricks. Due to the high level of activity, Blue used two batteries. And he was such a good boy that he didn't need to wear a leash.

Well, Blue never wears a traditional leash, because someone is always nearby with his remote control, a mobile device with Bluetooth capabilities or a sensor on their hip that guides him.

"People are afraid of all of this technology, all of this AI because they only have really heard the negative," said Marcus Horton, a technology coach who keeps up with his four-legged co-worker.

"And yes, you have to be aware of the challenges. (But) we take a different point of view. We show you the possibilities and the opportunities. That way, you can then shape it and contain it."

Blue, a collection of aluminum alloy, carbon fiber, plastic, rubber, various electronic components and other materials, is preparing in the coming weeks to share the tech limelight at Tennessee State. He’s going to be a dad.

At Tennessee State, 2 robot pups are on the way

Since Blue's homecoming debut, Melton said requests for appearances on and off campus have increased "big time." Which is why two pups are scheduled to arrive on campus in about six weeks.

They will be more advanced than Blue, their first generation family member.

BLACK TN VOICES LIVE EVENT: She was arrested as a youth. Her daughter died. He flunked out of college. Look at them now.

TSU TIGERS: How Tennessee State football clinched its first winning record in seven seasons by crushing Lindenwood

While Blue's handlers must wiggle their fingers on a remote or mobile device to communicate with him, the robot pups will be able to field and respond to verbal commands.

Cost: $3,500 apiece. Melton said students will name the robot pups.

Gaming for a career: Visit the Global SMART Technology Innovation Center

First it was the Aristocrat of Bands earning two Grammys, a milestone for HBCU bands. Then in the college sports arena, Tennessee State is scheduled to launch the first-ever HBCU hockey team in 2024.

Now it's technology. How is Tennessee State University preparing for the future?

One out of every four students are majoring or enrolled in tech-related curriculum or courses.

Tennessee State houses the Global SMART Technology Innovation Center, located on the Avon Williams downtown campus. Supporters include Microsoft, Apple, T-Mobile and Amazon — relationships that foster innovation, training, mentoring, technical support, job opportunities and financial backing.

The center also houses labs that allow students to play popular gaming titles, including NBA 2K, FIFA, Madden, Hogwarts Legacy, Fortnite, Apex, Valorant, Roblox and Call of Duty.

Since the center opened in 2021, Melton said annual enrollment in tech curriculum has increased approximately 7%.

On Tuesday, Melton discussed artificial intelligence and digital equity on a panel at a Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce event. She said local schools rethink the foundation of elementary education — Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic.

Her suggestion? Add coding.

Other HBCUs are taking notes. In June, Melton conducted a national webinar for several HBCUs regarding the educational impact of AI for underrepresented groups and cultures. Also, Syed Hasnain, the director of Online Education at Claflin University, a private, historically Black university in Orangeburg, South Carolina, visited Tennessee State this summer.

"They meet and exceed all the Ivy League universities and colleges when it comes to technology," Hasnain said.

Gary Estwick is the Business, Race and Culture editor at The Tennessean. The New Orleans native spends his free time exploring Nashville’s food scene and working off the calories thanks to paintball and boxing. Follow him on Twitter @garyestwick. Got a story idea? Email him at gestwick@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee State University's robot dog shows HBCU progress in tech