Start-up Master Thesis: Join in for building new Actuator technology for legged robot dynamic capabilities

04.07.2025, Abschlussarbeiten, Bachelor- und Masterarbeiten

Positions as a part of the program

1. Future Co-founder/Founding member: Learning for exploiting new actuator features for legged robots
2. Future Co-founder/Founding member: System prototyping & Control Characterization of Novel Elastic Actuator

Description

Recent advancements in robotics, especially concerning humanoids and quadrupeds, are largely due to the adoption of novel actuator technologies. These technologies involve high power density BLDC motors with a lower gear ratio, with the aim of maintaining good proprioceptive feedback for control. However, active development of new actuation concepts is ongoing. One of the important directions is an augmentation of such actuators with mechanical springs for storing and releasing energy at the dynamic peaks.

Our work focuses on the development and testing of one such actuator, a version of the Parallel Elastic Actuator. We enable larger autonomous working times and bigger payload capacity for legged robots. Exploitation of elasticities is also done in the direction of robustifying the system against extreme conditions, such as falls from high altitude, impacts, etc. We will test and push the boundaries of the system!

We are supported by the TUM-MIRMI ecosystem, an interdisciplinary Institute focusing on innovation in machine intelligence with a highly applied scope.

Requirements

• Technical Background (Software Engineering / Mechanical / Electronics …), according to the applied role (previously mentioned in the text)
• C1-level English
• Bonus: Previous active participation in a student initiative or involvement in extracurricular activities

Program Info

Application deadline: August 01. Program info session will be held on July 14 at 17h. LinkedIn event page of the info session: https://www.linkedin.com/events/emcinfosession7349033425443389440/

More info about the program available here: https://www.unternehmertum.de/en/services/tum-entrepreneurial-masterclass

In case there are questions, you can reach me via email, or contact one of the Program Managers (check the link provided)

Contact Details

Vasilije Rakcevic
vasilije.rakcevic@tum.de

Kontakt: vasilije.rakcevic@tum.de

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