Program Overview

Bioinspired Robot Design and Experimentation

The Bioinspired Robot Design and Experimentation course provides students with hands-on experience designing, building, and analyzing robotic systems. Through a semester-long project, students propose and test a research hypothesis with an experimental robotic system, focusing on topics in bioinspired robotics. The robot must either test a biological hypothesis using a robot or test a hypothesis about the robot that is based on bioinspired robotic principles.

Course Description

This course covers topics in bioinspired robotics, robotic component design, systems integration, experimental instrumentation, biohybrid robotics, and biomimetic modeling. It allows students to apply techniques in design, control, and analysis acquired during their graduate studies. Students are expected to be comfortable programming in Matlab and have prior graduate-level experience in mechanical design, controls, optimization, or robotics.

Recommended Pre-requisites

• Comfortable programming in Matlab
• Prior graduate-level experience in mechanical design, controls, optimization, or robotics, such as:
  • 24-673 Soft Robotics
  • 24-760 Robot Dynamics and Analysis
  • 24-771 Linear Systems
  • 24-785 Engineering Optimization
  • 24-787 AI and ML for Engineering Design
  • 16-711 Kinematics, Dynamic Systems, and Control
  • 16-741 Mechanics of Manipulation
  • 16-868 Biomechatronics
  • or similar courses with instructor permission

Class Learning Objectives

• Design, build, and analyze a robotic system
• Identify and explain applications of biomimicry and bio-inspiration
• Propose and test a research question or hypothesis with a robot
• Explain and apply techniques in design, controls, and mathematical analysis
• Identify and explain hypotheses and experimental design in existing journal papers
• Disseminate work in presentations and videos
• Disseminate work in technical reports

Additional Recommendations

Access and experience with makerspace equipment will be helpful. If students do not have fabrication experience, it is recommended that they sign up for 24-104 Maker Series I, a 3-unit mini. To use the makerspace equipment, students must have completed or be enrolled in one of the following classes:

• 24-104 Maker Series I (Mini)
• 24-105 Intro to Laser Cutting (Micro)
• 24-370 Engineering Design I: Methods and Skills
• 24-672 DIY Design and Fabrication
• 99-353 IDeATe: SolidWorks and Laser Cutting

Professor

Professor: Victoria Webster-Wood