Robotics and automation are no longer just a vision or a science-fiction dream. It has become an integral part of our modern-day life, and it has molded itself in everything from manufacturing to healthcare. If you are passionate about technology and want to contribute in any of the sectors through this field, then study in USA would be the perfect choice. Known for its most advanced curriculum and holistic and cutting-edge research facilities, US universities provide surplus scope for students to harness their passion and talent by specializing in Robotics and Automation.
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Why study Robotics and Automation in the USA?
- The institutions/universities of the USA are globally recognized and some of them are considered the best in the world for technology and engineering.
- With their cutting-edge research, these universities are at the forefront of the robotics and automation field as the students get to experience working in state-of-the-art laboratories.
- To bridge the gap between academia and industry, many institutes have partnerships with leading companies which benefits the students as they get internships as well as research opportunities.
- The programs are designed as such that students not just get theoretical knowledge but also practical applicability so that the students are industry-ready after graduation.
Top US Universities for Robotics and Automation
1. Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon was the first university in the US that establish a Robotics department and created the Robotics Institute in 1979. Now it is a leading institute in robotics research and education. Much of the work of this institute circles core robotics technologies such as manipulation, locomotion, and control, but they also give focus to related areas such as machine learning, computer vision, and graphics. This institute has also given to the world its first PhD program in Robotics in 1988.
It offers a Bachelor of Science in Robotics (BSR). It is taught from a computer science perspective. Students are expected to master the central concepts of computer science, mathematical foundations, and algorithmic concepts for robotics. For Graduate students, there is a Master of Science in Robotics (MSR).
2. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Michigan’s Robotics Institute is a leading center for research in robotics and autonomous systems. There is a Robotics Undergraduate major that comes under the College of Engineering. The Robotics Graduate program covers three main technical areas that go on simultaneously as students produce functioning robots: first is sensing the environment, second is reasoning with information, and third is acting upon the body and environment. The Master’s students are required to do a study project under the categories: Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Vehicles, Deep Learning, Human-robot Interaction, Legged Robots & Exoskeletons, Manufacturing Robots, Motion Planning, Rehabilitation Robotics, Perception & Manipulation, Robot Teams & Swarms, Simultaneous Localization & Mapping (SLAM), and Safe Autonomy.
3. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins’s Whiting School of Engineering offers an online Master’s program in Robotics and Autonomous Systems. The students have to select a focus area among Dynamics, Navigation, Decision and Control; Perception and Cognitive Systems; Autonomous Systems; Human-robot and Robot-robot Teaming; and General Robotics. The university also provides an MSE in Robotics, the duration of which is 18 months and the fee is USD 58,720.
One of the top research sites in the world- The Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics (LCSR) is known for its medical robotics. Other areas of research are Robotics in Extreme Environments; Haptics and Medical Robotics; Bio-Robotics; Autonomous Systems, Control, and Optimization; and Human-Machine Collaborative Systems.
4. University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
Penn’s GRASP Lab (General Robotics, Automation, Sensing, and Perception) is a world-renowned research group that has made significant contributions to the field. UPenn’s School of Engineering and Applied Science offers an MSE in the Robotics program and students are required to take at least 3 out of four foundational courses: Artificial Intelligence, Robot Design and Analysis, Control and Perception. It’s a 2-year program with an annual tuition fee of USD 40,875.
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Renowned for its innovative research and interdisciplinary approach, MIT consistently ranks among the top universities worldwide for Robotics and Automation. Even undergraduate students can take part in one of the most advanced research facilities. There are two well-known research labs–the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and the MIT Media Lab, both having robotics research groups.
There is an online program for professionals who want to learn about robotics called Robotics Essentials. It is a 10-week online program at USD 2,600. The learning objectives of this program are key concepts of robotic systems, robotic systems, and architecture, basics of sensing and control in robotic applications.
6. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Robotics Engineering Department is at the forefront of robotics research and education. The department provides comprehensive programs for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students. The BS and MS in Robotics Engineering are interdisciplinary program that takes some portions from computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, biomedical engineering, game design, aerospace, etc. The MS program costs USD 27,600 and is available through an online program too.
The institute has many research labs such as Adaptive and Intelligent Robotics (AIR) Lab, Automata Lab, Automation and Interventional Medicine (AIM) Lab, Cognitive Medical Technology (COMET) and Robotics Laboratory, Efficient Learning and Planning for Intelligent Systems (ELPIS) Lab, Human-inspired Robotics (HIRO) Lab, Manipulation and Environmental Robotics (MER) Lab, and many more.
7. University of California, Berkeley (UC, Berkeley)
Berkeley’s Robotics and Intelligent Systems Group has made significant contributions to robotics research and education. Berkeley also has a research lab under its Mechanical Engineering program called Berkeley Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory. Under Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, Berkeley is doing research on Robotics and Automation. Another Lab directed by Professor Ken Goldberg called AUTOLab is another pioneering research lab for robotics and automation sciences. The students are part of projects in Robust Robot Grasping and Manipulation for Warehouses, Homes, and Robot-Assisted Surgery.
8. Brown University
Brown University has a Humanity Centred Robotics Initiative which is made up of a group of faculty, students, and affiliates to tackle the problem of this world through robotics. In the Department of Computer Science, there is a lab called the Intelligent Robots Lab (IRL) directed by Professor George Konindaris. IRL is part of Brown University’s Brown Integrative, General AI (bigAI). The research is focused on generating intelligent robots who are capable of doing a wide range of tasks. The research can fall into the wide theme of intelligent robotics, mobile manipulation, and reinforcement learning. The Computer Science Department also has many courses related to Robotics such as Choreorobotics 0101.
9. Northwestern University
Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering offers a program of Master of Science in Robotics. It is a 12-15 months full-time degree with an optional summer internship. This program is made for professionals who want to work in robotics and artificial intelligence. The curriculum is based on a broad range of engineering and other disciplines with hands-on projects. The subject areas of the program are automatic control, kinematics and dynamics, machine learning, path planning, human-machine interfaces, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, robotics rehabilitation, and prosthetics. The total cost of this program ranges between USD 100,000 and USD 115,000.
The School has a Center for Robotics and Biosystems as well. The Center provides opportunities for undergraduate students to explore their interest in robotics by giving them an option to enroll in the core set of robotics courses, allowing them to be part of the NU Robotics Club, be part of design competitions, etc. The MS in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) provides students with 12 specialized courses they can focus on based on their career goals, one of which is Robotics and Autonomous Systems. In this, students have to select 6 core courses and 6 elective courses. The MS in Mechanical Engineering also offers a course in Flexible Automation and Robotics, open to graduate as well as advanced undergraduate students.
10. New York University (NYU)
New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering has a research and education facility for Robotics which focuses on fundamental principles, theories, and algorithms for autonomous intelligence machines. The degree program in Robotics is MS in Mechatronics and Robotics and an undergraduate Minor in Robotics. The required courses under MS in Mechatronics and Robotics are Entrepreneurship, Mechatronics, Foundations of Robotics, Mathematics for Robotics, Advanced mechatronics plus other specialized and elective courses. The annual tuition fee for this MS program is USD 70,050.
Requirements of Admission and Application Process
All the US universities typically have similar requirements for admission:
- Academic Transcripts: If you are applying for a Master’s or PhD program, then your academic transcripts should show a strong foundational base in relevant subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Sciences.
- Standardized Tests: Many universities require SAT/ACT or GRE scores along with English proficiency test scores from non-native speakers.
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR): Make sure to give your teachers, professors, or employers ample amount of time to write strong LOR providing insights into your abilities and potential.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP): Prepare a well-written SOP that should highlight your motivations, future goals, and qualifications for the Robotics and Automation program.
Conclusion
If you want to gain practical experience and engage with some of the world’s best technology in robotics and automation, then the chance to study in the USA under either degree programs of robotics or robotics offered as a course or specialization in various engineering programs is the best opportunity you can have. The US universities are known for their top-tier research programs and expert faculty when it comes to innovative areas such as robotics and automation.
Writing a fail-proof application for US universities is one step toward your aspiration. And one of the important parts of your application would be your SOP. Crafting an SOP can be a daunting task. That’s where Contenholic, the best SOP writing services in India, can assist you. Our team of professional SOP writers can create customized SOP that showcase your distinctive qualities and personality to the admission officials.
