SOP Robotics MIT

Statement of Purpose I am a final year undergraduate student in the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, pursuing a Bachelor of Technology course in Mechanical Engineering. I am seeking admission to the M.S. program in Robotics in Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In this statement, I shall describe in brief my research interests, experience and factors that motivated me to apply to the graduate school at your esteemed university. The field of Robotics has drawn my attention right from childhood. My fascination for this line grew with the exposure I had to industrial robots from an early age. Frequent visits to the Machine Tool company owned by my parents backed by a curiosity to learn more fostered a keen understanding of the applications of robotics and controls in today’s world. The field offers a plethora of opportunities for innovation and development. Reading pertinent journals and magazines has helped me stay up-to-date with the recent advances in this fast-moving field. I was formally introduced to the fascinating field of Control Engineering in my third year at IIT Bombay, in the course on Automatic Control. I went on to do courses in Linear Systems Theory, Discrete Data and Digital Control. I did a Junior Home Paper on “Cable Suspended Robots” in the 6th semester under Prof. Ravi Banavar and Prof. Shashikanth Suryanarayanan. As a part of this project, I did a literature survey and review of the developments in this new field of Robotics. This led to me taking up my BTech Project on “Modeling and Dynamics of Cable Suspended Robots” under the same guides. The project attempts to analyze a new configuration of cable suspended robots. The proposed configuration is a combination of four linear actuators and four cables to suspend a work platform. Control algorithm for cable suspended robots poses a major challenge as cables can only pull and not push. This exigent project has given me a good appreciation of the mathematics involved in Robotic manipulation and developing of Dynamics and Control algorithms for robots. Further, my work at Fanuc India Pvt. Ltd. during my summer internship in May-June 2005 gave me a practical knowledge and insight into the field of Applicative Robotics. In contrast to my projects in IIT, my projects in this firm were based on applications of robots. This introduced me to the topic of Force Control which is of essence in Robotic Grinding and Finishing operations. I developed a Robotic Sheet Grinding process using coated abrasives and a 6DOF robot. This process was developed to automate a process in a leading Indian 2-wheeler manufacturing company, and required an understanding of the grinding process, and robot movements. I also did a Simulation project for Robotic Spot Welding of Automobile Bodies. Fanuc ROBOGUIDE and Solid Edge software were used to do this simulation which included cell design. This industrial experience has turned my entrepreneurial instincts towards applications of control in Industrial practice. I come from a family of successful entrepreneurs. My parents are both engineers and as mentioned above, have been running a successful Machine Tool company for the last 22 years. I see myself starting a company in Robotics and Automation in the next 10 years.

Research work in this field will give me an edge to build the foundation of this envisioned company, and hence my interest in seeking an M.S. degree. In the pursuit of knowledge, I have always adopted a rigorous approach in order to attain an in-depth understanding of the subject at hand. My fondness for science and mathematics and interest in technology, particularly machines compelled me to take up Mechanical Engineering as my profession of choice. I have always been committed to whatever project I have chosen. Planning and working systematically to crack challenging problems has been my forte. I like to take life one project at a time and give my 100% to that project. I love challenges, and keep moving from one challenge to another. Taking calculated risks and converting them to success is one of the most important things I have learnt. My extra-curricular activities in Trekking, Mountain Cycling have trained me to lead teams through crisis. Having been involved in Sports throughout my school and college life, I attack difficult problems in an aggressive manner. The intellectually stimulating atmosphere at IIT Bombay and the opportunity to learn from some of the best teachers in the world only further enhanced my interest in research and prepared me for a career in research and development. The well-balanced curriculum at IIT has provided me with a comprehensive exposure to the fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering. I have excelled in the well-rounded and exacting undergraduate program at IIT Bombay, which is evident from my academic record (Department Rank 1). I have thus been able to develop a solid background to take up challenging projects in Control and Robotics. I look upon Graduate Studies as an opportunity to work on industrial projects and develop new technologies that would revolutionalize the industry. It would endow me an opportunity to hone my skills and would also be my first chance to make significant contribution to this rapidly developing field. MIT is the best institution of technology in the world. The state-of-the-art research facilities at MIT, the distinguished faculty and the opportunity to work with some of the leading researchers in the world have inspired me to pursue my Graduate Studies at MIT. The great living conditions and the opportunity to interact with some of the best minds in the world will definitely go a long way in making graduate study an enjoyable and motivating experience for me. I hope my credentials will enable me to secure admission for studies at MIT.