University of Michigan Robotics Department

University of Michigan Robotics Department is one of the premier robotics programs in the United States. Launched as a standalone department in 2022, it builds upon decades of world-class robotics research at UM and represents a major institutional commitment to advancing robotics as an interdisciplinary field. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the department integrates faculty and resources from Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and other disciplines to create a comprehensive ecosystem for robotics education, research, and innovation.

The department offers a full range of academic programs, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees in Robotics, making it one of the largest and most comprehensive robotics education programs in the world. It emphasizes hands-on, project-based learning combined with cutting-edge research.

Key research and robot-based focus areas include:

• Autonomous Vehicles and Mobile Robotics: Development of self-driving cars, MBots (small educational/research mobile robots), and advanced navigation systems.
• Human-Robot Interaction and Collaborative Robots: Research on safe, intuitive cobots and socially assistive robots.
• Medical and Rehabilitation Robotics: Projects such as knee exoskeletons for arthritis relief and mobility preservation.
• Aerial and Legged Robotics: Advanced drones and dynamic legged platforms.
• AI and Perception: Computer vision, sensor fusion, and machine learning for intelligent decision-making in robots.
• Manufacturing and Industrial Robotics: Automation solutions for shipbuilding, flexible manufacturing, and other industrial applications.

Notable student projects frequently showcased include autonomous MBots for competitions, fruit-skewering robotic arms, fire-sensing robots, and laser-tag playing robots. The department maintains state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced motion capture labs, fabrication spaces, and large testing arenas. Research at Michigan Robotics aims to create “force-multipliers for the benefit of society,” addressing challenges in healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, environmental monitoring, and disaster response.