Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Two research projects from the School of Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have received close to $900,000 in funding through the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute (ARM), supported by the U.S. Department of Defense, to push forward innovation in robotic manufacturing technologies.
The funding supports work focused on improving automation, precision, and safety in industrial robotics. Both projects align with national priorities around modernizing manufacturing and strengthening U.S. industrial competitiveness.
According to School of Engineering leadership, robotics is rapidly reshaping how manufacturing systems are designed and operated. The new awards highlight growing investment in combining modeling, control systems, and data-driven approaches to improve real-world production environments.
One of the funded projects is led by John Wen, a professor in electrical, computer, and systems engineering. His team is developing methods for robots to automatically generate high-speed, high-precision tool paths on complex curved surfaces. The goal is to reduce or eliminate the need for manual tuning in industrial processes such as robotic spraying and material deposition. The work is being carried out in collaboration with industry partners including General Electric Research and others.
The second project, led by Glenn Saunders from Rensselaer’s Manufacturing Innovation Center, focuses on robotic handling of energetic materials. The research aims to improve safety systems and manipulation strategies for sensitive manufacturing tasks. The techniques developed could apply not only to specialized defense-related production but also to broader industrial use cases involving hazardous materials. This effort includes collaboration with partners from companies such as Schlumberger and FANUC America.
The ARM Institute, which funds these projects, brings together hundreds of organizations across academia, industry, and government. Its mission is to expand the use of robotics and artificial intelligence in manufacturing while supporting workforce development and U.S. competitiveness.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has been involved with ARM since its founding in 2017 and continues to play a role in advancing robotics research that connects academic work with real industrial applications.
Vraj Parikh