Robots in the Real World: Bringing Small-Scale Robots Out of the Lab and into Our Lives

A small, highly mobile and autonomous robot from the Robot Form and Function Lab.

Bringing small robots out into the real world requires cooperative research in hardware and software.

Project description

Moving robots from the lab to the real world requires research in robot hardware and software to enable mobility and autonomy in the real world. This challenge is exemplified as we shrink robots down in size, where real world obstacles become nearly insurmountable for small robots. However, biology offers an existence proof by examining the capabilities of the millions of small insects. Abstracting design principles of biology will eventually enable small robots to move out of the lab and into our daily lives.

Through this project, students will 1) research and prototype mechanisms to enable mobility in natural terrains and, 2) evaluate the resultant performance of the robot. Students will also 3) research strategies to increase operational abilities of robots, such as through multi-robot interactions. 

Project outcome

As part of this project, students will be 1) introduced to the variety of research available in the field of small robots, from hardware to software, 2) learn to conduct research and work on a multi-disciplinary team, 3) be mentored in how to apply to and succeed in graduate school, 4) communicate relevant research results, and 5) provide opportunities and guidance on how to broaden participation in robotics. These aspects will be crucial in the development of robotics researchers and the future robotics workforce, and will be a unique opportunity provided within the Robot Form and Function Lab. 

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment About a semester; 3-5 months
Start time Summer (May/June)
In-person, remote, or hybrid? In-Person Project 
Level of collaboration Collaboration with other students in the Robot Form and Function Lab 
Benefits Stipend
Who is eligible Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors with the following preferred skills: design and CAD, soldering, PCB design, microprocessor programming (C/C++)

Core partners

Project mentor

Ryan St. Pierre

Assistant Professor

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Phone: (716) 645-1451

Email: ryans@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.) 
Start the Digital Badge

Preparation activities

Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase. 

Read "Gnat Robots (And How They Will Change Robotics)" (https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/41184) by Dr. Anita Flynn

Review the opportunities page on the lab website (https://robotformandfunction.github.io/opportunities.html) to understand what it is like to work in a research environment. 

Keywords

robotics, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering