Graduate Programs

Pursuing Advances and Discoveries to Lead the Robotics Revolution

Having the ability to imagine how robotics can solve problems is part of the fascination for a new breed of engineers who will lead the robotics revolution. Toward that end, graduate students explore areas such as artificial intelligence, computer vision, natural language and speech understanding, wireless networking, and nanotechnology.

Following WPI’s principle of integrating theory with practice, what students learn in the classroom is applied to constructing and controlling robots for specialized applications. Faculty members from the Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Electrical & Computer Engineering departments contribute to this comprehensive and well-rounded curriculum.

Click the play button to start playing the video.

HELPING HUMANS AND ROBOTS WORK TOGETHER

Charles Rich, professor of computer science and an expert on artificial intelligence (AI), is teaching robots to interact more naturally with humans—which is paving the way for robot helpers to have an impact in people’s lives.

 
  • Email a Friend
  • Bookmark this Page
  • Share this Page

See Also

Apply Now
  • Michael A. Gennert

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Michael A. Gennert
    Department: Computer Science
    Title: Professor; Director of Robotics Engineering

    Working with students and faculty members, we develop robots to inspect trees for invasive insect pests, autonomous boats for monitoring lakes, or medical imaging.

    Learn more...

  • Sonia Chernova

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Sonia Chernova
    Department: Computer Science
    Title: Assistant Professor

    Professor Chernova’s work focuses on building systems that are able to learn from interaction with users and ask for help from humans when necessary.

    Learn more...

  • Michael J. Ciaraldi

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Michael J. Ciaraldi
    Department: Computer Science
    Title: Professor of Practice

    For Professor Ciaraldi, the greatest thing about being at WPI is the chance to work with students on so many different projects.

    Learn more...

  • David Cyganski

    Faculty Profile

    Name: David Cyganski
    Department: Electrical & Computer Engineering
    Title: Professor

    I consider myself part electrical engineer, part mathematician, and part physicist. Physics has become as much a hobby as an intellectual interest.

    Learn more...

  • R. James Duckworth

    Faculty Profile

    Name: R. James Duckworth
    Department: Electrical & Computer Engineering
    Title: Associate Professor

    This [PPL] project’s overall goal is to protect emergency responders and to enhance their ability to accomplish their missions.

    Learn more...

  • Alexander E. Emanuel

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Alexander E. Emanuel
    Department: Electrical & Computer Engineering
    Title: Professor

    I make a point to develop in my students a variety of skills, including studying effectively, respecting society and the environment, and taking responsibility for their ideas.

    Learn more...

  • Gregory S. Fischer

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Gregory S. Fischer
    Department: Biomedical Engineering
    Title: Assistant Professor

    Professor Fischer is a faculty member in WPI’s Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Engineering departments, with an appointment in Biomedical Engineering.

  • Susan M. Jarvis

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Susan M. Jarvis
    Department: Electrical & Computer Engineering
    Title: Adjunct Instructor

    In any field you can think of, there is the need for tools to measure, study, process, and analyze. Electrical and computer engineers are the tool builders!

    Learn more...

  • Robert W. Lindeman

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Robert W. Lindeman
    Department: Computer Science
    Title: Associate Professor

    Professor Lindeman’s interests include finding ways to stimulate as many of the senses as possible to mimic the reality portrayed in a given game.

    Learn more...

  • Fred J. Looft III

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Fred J. Looft III
    Department: Electrical & Computer Engineering
    Title: Professor & Department Head

    My interests in ECE have evolved from the modeling of sensory receptors and neural coding to off-campus student project advising, development of space flight systems and more.

    Learn more...

  • William R. Michalson

    Faculty Profile

    Name: William R. Michalson
    Department: Electrical & Computer Engineering
    Title: Professor

    My interests in communication, navigation, and computing have led me to play an active role in the development of the Robotics Program at WPI.

    Learn more...

  • Stephen Nestinger

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Stephen Nestinger
    Department: Computer Science
    Title: Assistant Professor

    Professor Nestinger is director of the Robotics, Mechatronics, and Automation Laboratory. His research focuses on the stability and workspace analysis of various robots and more.

    Learn more...

  • Taskin Padir

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Taskin Padir
    Department: Electrical & Computer Engineering
    Title: Assistant Professor

    WPI is perfect for a multidisciplinary robotics engineering program. The size of the school makes it possible for students to receive personal attention with their studies.

    Learn more...

  • Marko B. Popovic

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Marko B. Popovic
    Department: Biomedical Engineering
    Title: Adjunct Assistant Professor

    Dr. Popovic’s research has been focused on human biophysics and development of new paradigms in biomedical engineering that he calls soft robotics.

  • Craig Putnam

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Craig Putnam
    Department: Computer Science
    Title: Adjunct Instructor

    Professor Putnam takes a great deal of pride and pleasure in helping students get off to a good start in their engineering careers.

    Learn more...

  • Yiming Rong

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Yiming Rong
    Department: Mechanical Engineering
    Title: Professor

    Dr. Rong’s research area is computer-aided manufacturing, including manufacturing systems, machining and heat treatment processes, and computer-aided fixture design (CAFD).

    Learn more...

  • Candace L. Sidner

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Candace L. Sidner
    Department: Computer Science
    Title: Research Professor

    Professor Sidner enjoys introducing students to new ideas, then watching them take those ideas in new and innovative directions.

    Learn more...

  • Eduardo Torres-Jara

    Faculty Profile

    Name: Eduardo Torres-Jara
    Department: Computer Science
    Title: Assistant Professor

    Professor Torres-Jara’s research interest focuses mainly on what he describes as sensitive robotics, an approach in which great importance is given to tactile feedback.

    Learn more...