ROBOTICS

Welcome to the IRL. Research in this lab is mainly concerned with solving problems that require a mixture of mechanics and computation, where neither will suffice on their own. When trying to solve a problem (e.g., exploring Mars) once can take a mechanical approach and build a tank -- which can go over any terrain, or a brilliant unicycle, which can plot a safe, but long path that avoids all possible hazards. At the IRL, we try and find a middle ground. We design robust mechanics that don't waste mass and energy on the worst case, and use intelligent software to get us around those bits of the physical world beyond our mechanics. On the flip side, we don't spend time and energy running optimal algorithms, when satisfactory solutions can be found for a fraction of the cost.