Students will learn to design and build robots using microcontrollers, servos, solenoids, sensors, wireless communication and control systems and construct robots from the ground up. They will learn to drive actuators, read sensors and coordinate control. They will use laser cutters and 3D printers to create moving mechanisms as well as embedded programming techniques to intelligently control their creations. They will be exposed to robotics research from Penn’s famous GRASP lab where over 400 faculty staff and students research cutting edge robotics.
Students will work in teams to build robotic musical instruments synchronised through WiFi that culminates in a public performance in a combined robotic orchestra. Some programming experience in a structured language (e.g., C, C++, Java or python) is useful. While experience in CAD, 3D printing, arduino is useful it is not necessary. Enjoying musical instruments and singing may also make the event more fun.
Instructors:
Mark Yim
Mark Yim, PhD is Faculty Associate Director of Penn Health-Tech and the Asa Whitney Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics at the University of Pennsylvania, with additional appointments as Director of the University of Pennsylvania GRASP Laboratory and the Faculty Director for the Design Studio at Venture Lab at The Wharton School. He obtained a BS in Engineering Mechanics from Johns Hopkins University in 1987 and attended Stanford University where he completed an MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering. After graduating from Stanford, he joined a startup company (Virtual Technologies) before moving to Xerox PARC, where he obtained a DARPA grant to continue his work in modular reconfigurable robots. Eventually, Dr. Yim made his move from industry to academia, coming to the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Yim is an engineer, inventor, and renowned robotics and innovation expert. His research focuses on robotics, mechanical systems and design, modular reconfigurable robots and locomotion (Polybot), MEMS and batch fabrication techniques, brute force digital time optimal control, and more.
Nicholas McGill-Gardner
Biography
Patrick Brandon
2025 Syllabus
Raina Y ROBO 25
James C ROBO 25
