Robotics Systems Intern
About The Position
Astera Institute’s Robotics Lab is developing wheeled robotic platforms and lifting systems to support research into embodied intelligence. The lab uses robotics to investigate how biological neural circuits and AI systems perceive, navigate, manipulate objects, and act effectively in the physical world. Its work includes expanding from indoor navigation on a simple differential-drive platform to evaluating additional wheel and drivetrain configurations and systems that adjust a robot’s working height. Under engineering mentorship, the Robotics Systems Intern will prototype wheeled mobile bases and lifting platforms, conduct hands-on experiments, and evaluate designs under realistic operating conditions. The intern will work with existing hoverboard hub motors and other motorized wheel hardware, as well as commercial lifting mechanisms and custom prototypes. Findings will help the team select practical designs based on measured performance, reliability, cost, and ease of integration.
Requirements
- Coursework, projects, or practical experience in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, mechatronics, or a related discipline.
- Experience building and troubleshooting a physical system through coursework, research, student teams, or personal projects.
- Basic familiarity with mechanical assembly, electrical wiring, motors, and sensors.
- Interest in hands-on prototyping and systematic testing, including careful measurement and documentation.
- Comfort working with an engineering mentor and contributing to the upkeep of a shared robotics lab.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with CAD, 3D printing, machining, or fabrication of mechanical prototypes.
- Familiarity with BLDC motors, motor controllers, encoders, wheeled robots, or drivetrain design.
- Familiarity with linear actuators, screw drives, scissor lifts, lifting columns, or other positioning mechanisms.
- Experience with Python, C/C++, microcontrollers, or basic feedback control.
- Experience building test fixtures, collecting experimental data, or comparing hardware designs.
Responsibilities
- Assemble and modify mobile bases using hoverboard hub motors, hub motor wheels, and conventional motor-driven wheel assemblies.
- Help design and fabricate chassis, mounts, and supporting components.
- Compare navigation performance across different mobile systems and compare wheel and drivetrain configurations.
- Develop repeatable tests to evaluate maneuverability, low-speed motion, traction, payload handling, power consumption, steerability, and general performance across relevant floor surfaces.
- Help assemble, adapt, and test lifting mechanisms such as scissor lifts and telescoping lifting columns.
- Integrate actuators, guides, mounts, and supporting structures into lifting platforms.
- Evaluate lifting range, speed, positioning repeatability, rigidity, and stability under defined loads; investigate vibration, mechanical play, and other reliability issues.
- Configure motor controllers, connect position and speed feedback, and develop simple control and data-collection scripts.
- Help implement travel limits, homing, and coordinated motion under engineering supervision.
- Maintain CAD files, wiring diagrams, parts lists, and test records; summarize design tradeoffs and work with engineers to refine promising designs.
- Organize components, tools, and spares; maintain prototypes and test fixtures; and assist with equipment inspections, repairs, and experiment setup.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
