AME - Innovative Robotics and Interactive Systems (IRIS) Lab Research
Students will conduct research in the Innovative Robotics and Interactive Systems (IRIS) research lab. The IRIS Lab's research mission is to create innovative robot designs, understand the mathematical principles behind their movement and force application, study their interaction with humans, and apply them to improve human life.
We explore novel robot designs, often inspired by nature and using non-traditional materials, and we develop mathematical models to understand how they operate. We also study human-robot physical interaction and control methods to allow humans to safely and intuitively interact with robots. Our research aims to make robots more useful in applications that improve human health, safety, and productivity, such as robotic exploration of environments where humans cannot enter, human-safe robotic manipulation, robot-assisted human training and rehabilitation, and remote telepresence.
Examples of current research projects in the IRIS lab include: soft inflatable exosuits for assisting stroke patients with stretching at home, soft growing vine-inspired robots for exploration and mapping of collapsed buildings, and soft growing vine-inspired robots for "smart" crash safety inside vehicles. Each research project will include some of the following: mechanical design and prototyping, electrical circuit design, mathematical modeling, robot control programming, conducting physical experiments, analyzing data, writing/presenting, etc.
The IRIS Lab seeks to create a productive, fun, and welcoming research community. All IRIS Lab research is oriented towards the publication of a paper in a well-respected conference and/or journal. We have weekly lab meetings where students get to know each other personally and learn about each other's research, and we do a fun lab outing every semester.