Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines (IRIM) at Georgia Tech

Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines (IRIM) at Georgia Tech is one of the largest and most comprehensive robotics research organizations in the United States. Located at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, IRIM serves as a central hub that brings together faculty, students, and researchers from multiple colleges and schools across the university, including Computing, Engineering, and Sciences. The institute fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to advance the field of robotics through fundamental research, education, industry partnerships, and real-world applications.

IRIM does not manufacture commercial robot products. Instead, it functions as a major academic and research center focused on developing next-generation robotic technologies. The institute’s research spans a wide spectrum of topics, including:

• Mechanics and Design: Advanced robot mechanisms, soft robotics, and bio-inspired systems.
• Control and Autonomy: Robust control systems, motion planning, and safe autonomous navigation.
• Perception and Sensing: Computer vision, sensor fusion, and multi-modal perception.
• Artificial Intelligence and Cognition: Machine learning, human-robot interaction, and cognitive robotics.
• Human-Robot Interaction: Collaborative robots (cobots), socially assistive robots, and intuitive interfaces.
• Systems and Applications: Multi-robot systems, swarm robotics, aerial and legged robots, medical robotics, manufacturing automation, and environmental monitoring.

Notable research strengths include autonomous vehicles, humanoid robots, surgical and rehabilitation robotics, and large-scale robotic systems for infrastructure inspection. IRIM researchers regularly publish at top conferences such as ICRA, IROS, and RSS, and collaborate with industry leaders and government agencies.

The institute also plays a major role in robotics education, offering interdisciplinary Master’s and Ph.D. programs in Robotics. Students gain hands-on experience through project-based learning and have access to state-of-the-art core research facilities, including advanced motion capture systems, fabrication labs, and testing arenas.