Robotics Engineering | Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Robotics Engineering Department

WPI is at the forefront of integrated robotics research and education with the Robotics Engineering Department, which is the first-of-its-kind in the nation and the most comprehensive in the world and with the largest student population seeking BS, MS, and PhD degrees. The Robotics Engineering Department has the largest market share in MS graduates in the nation in 2023.

Robotics is defined as embodied intelligence, encompassing artificial intelligence and physical intelligence. Our pioneering approach to research and education is built on the foundation of advancing science and engineering to build better robots and robotic systems of the future. We have graduated thousands of roboticists and continue to prepare students for a future robotics workforce to tackle the technical, social, cultural, and ethical challenges that remain dynamic and constantly changing.

Our research philosophy is unique since we not only conduct scientific discovery but also provide engineering solutions to tackle the problems of today to have an impact tomorrow. This also percolates into our educational regime: we provide extensive hands-on experience in all our courses with state-of-the-art lab facilities. We prioritize space for experimentation, and we foster competitive student teams that routinely win international robotics awards.

Advancing Robotics: Berk Calli Secures NSF CAREER Award for Innovative Research

Berk Calli, associate professor in the Department of Robotics Engineering, has recently been honored with a prestigious $599,559 CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This award recognizes his exceptional potential in both research and education.

WPI Team Nabs Overall Victory at International Robotic Sailing Competition

SailBot took home the trophy at this year’s competition on Lake Attitash in Amesbury included graduating seniors Erin Murphey (mechanical engineering), Anthony Virone (robotics engineering), Matthew Gomes (robotics engineering/computer science), and Theodore Winter (robotics engineering).

Wearable Robot Offers Hope

Tess Meier uses an insider's perspective to perfect an exoskeleton hand prototype.

Meier is quick to point out, though, that her goal is not to develop a robot that can replace physical therapists. Both of her parents are physical therapists, after all, and she has always admired the fact that they help people feel better. Instead, she hopes her robotic device will supplement physical therapy.