Worcester Polytechnic Institute

WPI is a top-tier STEM-focused research university and a recognized pioneer and global leader in project-based learning. Founded in 1865 on the principle that students learn most effectively by applying the theory learned in the classroom to the practice of solving real-world problems, WPI’s continued mission is to transform lives, turn knowledge into action to confront global challenges, and revolutionize STEM through distinctive and inclusive education, projects, and research.  WPI’s project-based curriculum engages undergraduates in solving important scientific, technological, and societal problems throughout their education and at more than 50 project centers around the world.  Today WPI offers more than 70 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs across 18 academic departments in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts. To help address ongoing challenges, improve lives, and help create a more sustainable world, WPI faculty and students pursue groundbreaking research in such areas as the life sciences, smart technologies, materials and manufacturing, and global initiatives.

Robotics Engineering The Robotics Engineering (RBE) department has made a significant impact on robotics engineering education, not only at WPI, but at other institutions as well. In recognition of its leadership for developing and implementing the first ABET-accredited undergraduate Robotics Engineering program in the United States, the WPI RBE department was awarded the 2016 ABET Innovation Award. The RBE graduate program prepares robotics engineers and researchers across a wide range of disciplines in which the advances of robotics are transformative, including healthcare, manufacturing, material handling, education, transportation, services, safety and security, and search and rescue. It is a significant contributor to WPI’s research portfolio, conducting comprehensive robotics research in 12 dynamic clusters: 1. Embedded Systems for Robots 2. Robot Motion Planning & Control, 3. Multi-Robot Systems 4. Medical & Assistive Robotics 5. Autonomous Vehicles 6. Novel Sensors/Actuators & Design 7. Soft Robots 8. Robots & AI 9. Robotics Manipulation 10. Sensing & Perception 11. Human Augmentation 12. Human-Robot Interaction & Interfaces.