I am currently working under Dr. Daniel Bruder in the Mechanical Engineering department as the only undergraduate researcher in the lab. My independent project involves developing a passive wall-climbing robot using bi-stable suction cups, which I designed using Fusion 360 and Solidworks. The robot successfully demonstrated the ability to climb a wall, marking a significant milestone in the project. I am now in the process of writing a paper to synthesize the research findings and contribute to the field.
In this experience I've learned how to conduct research in a nearly independent manner. While I have done robotics in the past, the research end is different because oftentimes no one has done what you're trying to do in the specific project. It's been fun to learn how to evaluate what to focus on and design, iterate, and test new ideas. I am also writing a paper for this project which will be another learning opportunity.
andyng@umich.edu