Program Overview

Introduction to the Robotics Program

The robotics program at Oregon State University is a highly regarded program that is part of the Collaborative Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute. The program is built on a culture of collaboration, leading to research in various areas such as agriculture, forestry, oceanography, and more.

Program Details

The program offers undergraduate and graduate students research experiences in numerous areas of robotics, including:

• Underwater robotics
• Human-robot interaction
• Agricultural robots
• Soft robots
• Drones
• Bio-inspired robotics
• Law and policy around robotics
• Robots for education and healthcare

Related degrees include:

• Artificial intelligence
• Computer science
• Electrical and computer engineering
• Industrial engineering
• Materials science
• Mechanical engineering

Degree Types

The program offers the following degree types:

• M.S.
• Ph.D.
• Graduate Minor

Locations

The program is located in Corvallis.

Faculty Research Areas

The faculty and students engage in cutting-edge robotics research with a focus on how that research impacts the real world. Research areas include:

• Advanced Manufacturing: Developing advanced technologies to manufacture new and existing products
• Artificial Intelligence and Robotics: Theory, algorithms, and systems for making decisions in complex environments
• Computer Graphics and Visualization: Analysis, synthesis, understanding, and manipulation of visual data
• Data Science and Engineering: Development of technology, processes, and software to access and utilize data
• Next Generation Materials and Devices: The use of structural materials, electronic ceramics, energy materials, and sensors
• Software Engineering & Human-Computer Interaction: Helping people develop software that is effective and accurate

Innovating Solutions for Real-World Problems

The program is developing solutions for various real-world problems, including:

• Agriculture
• Disaster response
• Package delivery
• Marine renewable energy

Notable achievements include:

• Revolutionizing humanoid robot locomotion that led to the Digit robot
• Collaborations with farmers to create solutions for labor shortages
• Developing robot swarms that can monitor melting ice shelves
• Discovering that one human can command over 100 robots

Collaborative Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute

The Collaborative Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute, housed in Graf Hall, is a leading center for robotics research, providing a collaborative space for students and faculty.

Alumni Testimonials

Alumni of the program have gone on to work in prominent companies, with one alumni stating that the program forced them to become better in all the ways that industry is looking for.

Research Partnerships

The program is part of various research partnerships, including the AI Caring Institute and the AgAID Institute, which aim to improve the quality of life of older adults and find solutions for global agricultural challenges, respectively.