Millirobots and Microrobots: Small-Scale, Fast Robot Systems

A microrobot next to an ant.

A microrobot next to an ant.

Create your own insects, or microrobots, using a combination of different forms of engineering. 

Project description

Microrobots and millirobots (robots up to a few grams in body mass), require novel engineering to design and make small-scale robots. This requires all forms of engineering, including designing mechanisms, integrating sensing and control, and overall understanding the relevant physics and dynamics of small, fast systems. Milli- and microrobots can eventually crawl, run, and jump around and explore the world, much like the insects that inspire them.

Project outcome

Projects working with millirobots and microrobots will result in building hardware and testing robot performance. This can culminate in a conference proceeding or poster.

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment Longer than a semester (6-9 months)
Start time Any time
In-person, remote, or hybrid? In-person
Level of collaboration Individual student project
Benefits Academic credit
Who is eligible All undergraduate students 

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.) 

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. 

Keywords

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering