Robotics Project #1: Autonomous Navigation and MBot
Faculty Mentor: Chad Jenkins, ocj@umich.edu
Prerequisites: Robotics 102 or any Robotics 300-level course
Project Description: Robotics 102, and its focus on autonomous navigation, is a cornerstone
of our trailblazing new Robotics major for undergraduates, which is poised to define robotics as
an academic discipline and provide more accessible pathways for students into artificial
intelligence. Further, Robotics 102 has played a central role in our efforts to realize a national
model for Distributed Teaching Collaboratives — as an open-source approach to course
development and building bridges between Minority Serving Institutions and R1 universities.
Students working on this project will contribute to a development team focused on continued
development of our MBot-series mobile robots and advancing their software stack for
autonomous navigation
Research Mode: In Lab
ROB Project #2: Experimental validation of powered lower-limb prostheses and exoskeletons
Faculty Mentor: Robert Gregg, rdgregg@umich.edu
Project Description: The student will assist Ph.D. students in conducting experiments with
powered lower-limb prostheses and exoskeletons used by human participants including
above-knee amputees, elderly adults, etc. This project will involve operating robot control
systems, human subjects research, and data analysis.
Research Mode: In Lab
ROB Project #3: Quantifying human performance for operational environments
Faculty Mentor: Leia Stirling, leias@umich.edu
Project Description: In this interdisciplinary research group, we bring together methods from
human factors, biomechanics, and robotics. We strive to understand the physical and cognitive
interactions for goal-oriented human task performance and support operational decision-making
that relies on manual task performance. These goals may include reducing musculoskeletal
injury risks, supporting telehealth, and improving technology usability. However, the term
performance is not universally defined and requires learning about the desired task goals and
the sub-tasks and motions the human will need to accomplish them.
There are different projects students may support.
- Upper Extremity Exoskeletons for Industrial Applications. Exoskeletons are currently being evaluated for many different applications. In this project, the student may support the development of a study and/or data analysis related to upper extremity exoskeletons designed to support overhead work and/or reaching and grasping.
- Lower Extremity Exoskeletons for mobility assist: In this project, the student may support the development of a study and/or data analysis related to lower extremity exoskeletons designed to assist ankle motion for mobility assistance.
- Quantifying Human Motion. In this project, the student will support the development and evaluation of algorithms for using inertial measurement units (IMUs) to measure human performance.
ROB Project #4: Bite bot
Faculty Mentor: Talia Moore, taliaym@umich.edu
Project Description: Building and operating a robot to test the effect of snake fang shape on
venom delivery.
Research Mode: In Lab
ROB Project #5: Gripper design
Faculty Mentor: Talia Moore, taliaym@umich.edu
Project Description: Designing bio-inspired grippers with dielectric fluid actuators.
Research Mode: In Lab
ROB Project #6: Neural Networks for Prosthetic Device Control
Faculty Mentor: Cynthia Chestek, cchestek@umich.edu
Prerequisites: Experience in Python, preferably some experience with machine learning algorithms
Project Description: Our lab works with human participants on prosthetic control experiments
via Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces (RPNIs), allowing for robust control signals via
implanted electrodes. This project would involve carrying on existing work using neural
networks to improve our current control abilities and to work on updating and improving our
neural network library of Python code for this control.
Research Mode: In Lab, Hybrid, or Remote (In Lab or Hybrid preferred)
ROB Project #7: Autonomous Vehicles, Trust, and Situational Awareness
Faculty Mentor: Dawn Tilbury tilbury@umich.edu and Lionel Robert lprobert@umich.edu
Prerequisites: N/A
Required:
- programming experience
- understanding of statistics and data analysis
- critical thinking skills
- communication (reading, writing, speaking) skills
- interest in human-robot interaction and teaming
Desirable prerequisites:
- creativity
- some understanding of the scientific methodology
- experience with programming UNREAL or other game engines
Project Description: The MAVRIC lab at the University of Michigan is conducting research on
the subject of human-autonomous vehicle interaction and teaming. This research is highly
interdisciplinary and current projects have broad scopes including improving the performance of
teams of humans and robots, increasing and managing the trust, and optimizing situational
awareness during complex scenarios and dynamic missions. For this summer project, we plan to
spin up a new research idea stemming from recent work on mental models and human-robot
teaming with multiple autonomous vehicles. This project allows undergraduate researchers the
opportunity to come in at the ground floor of the research process and work with us to build a
research question, decide on an approach to answering it, and with luck conduct early pilot
testing.
Research Mode: In Lab
ROB Project #8: Smart manufacturing and industry 4.0
Faculty Mentor: Dawn Tilbury tilbury@umich.edu and Kira Barton bartonkl@umich.edu
Prerequisites: N/A
Required:
- Intro to control systems
- Data analysis and statistics
- System modeling (block diagrams, feedback)
- Communication skills (oral & written)
Desirable:
- Experience with manufacturing systems
- Experience with robots, including mobile robots and manipulators
- Simulation experience
Project Description: Computing and networking technologies are becoming pervasive in
manufacturing systems, enabling vast amounts of data coming from the factory floor to be used
to improve productivity and quality, thereby reducing costs for consumers. There are many open
research questions on how to best leverage this data, to build models of the system operation,
predict future outcomes, and adapt the system to disruptions. The summer student(s) will work
in a lab with both additive (3D printing) and subtractive (CNC machining) processes, several
collaborative robots, and high-performance simulations. Data from the machines and robots will
be used to build models that can be encapsulated in “digital twins” which can improve the
overall system operations.
Research Mode: In Lab
Robotics Project #9: Neural Networks for Prosthetic Device Control
Faculty Mentor: Cynthia Chestek, cchestek@umich.edu
Prerequisites: Experience in Python, preferably some experience with machine learning
algorithms
Project Description: Our lab works with human participants on prosthetic control
experiments via Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces (RPNIs), allowing for robust
control signals via implanted electrodes. This project would involve carrying on existing
work to use neural networks to improve our current control abilities, and to work on
updating and improving our neural network library of Python code for this control.
Research Mode: In Lab, Hybrid, or Remote (In Lab or Hybrid preferred)
Robotics Project #10: Neural simulator for Brain-Machine Interfaces
Faculty Mentor: Cynthia Chestek, cchestek@umich.edu
Prerequisites: Experience with Python, ideally someone with some experience in low-level
network communication.
Project Description: Our lab works on real-time brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) for decoding movement and muscle activation. This project involves developing a new neural data simulator that will help the
debugging of all of the lab models. The base code is written in Python, so previous experience with Python is required. Additionally, some knowledge of low-level network communication would be ideal.
Research Mode: In lab or remote or hybrid