The Mechanisms And Robotic Systems (MARS) Lab at Purdue University provides a collaborative research environment for designing, analyzing, and controlling advanced robotic mechanisms. It offers in‑house prototyping tools, dedicated test rigs, and integrated simulation frameworks to enable rapid development and validation of actuation, sensing, and locomotion solutions for graduate students, faculty, and industry partners.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Advancements in robotics and mechanical systems often lag due to limited access to dedicated research facilities, interdisciplinary expertise, and systematic testing environments, hindering the development of reliable, high-performance robotic platforms.
Solution
The Mechanisms And Robotic Systems (MARS) Lab at Purdue University provides a collaborative research environment focused on the design, analysis, and control of advanced robotic mechanisms. The lab integrates mechanical engineering, control theory, and computer science to develop novel actuation, sensing, and locomotion solutions. Researchers conduct experimental prototyping using in‑house fabrication tools and test rigs, while leveraging simulation frameworks to validate performance. Findings are disseminated through academic publications and industry partnerships, accelerating the translation of innovative robotic concepts into practical applications.
Target Audience
Primary users are graduate students, faculty researchers, and industry collaborators seeking to develop and validate advanced robotic mechanisms.
Features
- Interdisciplinary research projects spanning mechanism design, dynamics, and autonomous control
- In‑house prototyping facilities including CNC machining, 3D printing, and electronics workstations
- Dedicated test rigs for evaluating kinematics, force/torque performance, and real‑world operation of robotic systems
- Integration of simulation tools (e.g., ROS, Gazebo) with physical experiments for rapid iteration
- Collaboration platform for graduate students, faculty, and external industry partners