Project:	Summer Research With Aerospace Robotics and Control Lab (ARCL)
Discipline:	Control and Dynamical Systems
Mentor:	Soon-Jo Chung, Bren Professor of Control and Dynamical Systems, (EAS), sjchung@caltech.edu, Phone: 6263956294
Mentor URL:	https://aerospacerobotics.caltech.edu/  (opens in new window)
Background:	There are several positions open for summer 2025 undergraduate research projects with ARCG. Research directions of the lab include autonomous systems, swarm control, and learning-based control with a focus on spacecraft and robotics. SURF students will be paired with a graduate or postgraduate researcher and complete a project closely related to the mentor’s research work.
Description:	For all projects, please apply by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/iyQGSA8Ey8NU2SCY8 . Please note which project you’d be interested in and what skills you’re looking to learn in support of your future research career. Our research is constantly evolving, and we often have projects related to autonomy, machine learning, computer vision and navigation, swarm robotics, and prototyping for spacecraft simulators, drones, and other robotics experiments. A few examples of what we’re currently working on are below, but we are flexible, and projects will be finalized based on discussions with research mentors. Some projects looking for SURFs include: • Indy Autonomous Challenge: ARCL along with CAST Racer are participating in the Indy Autonomous Challenge, deploying our cutting-edge localization, perception, planning, and control algorithms on a race car. As part of this work, you’ll be matched with a sub-team to help develop one of our core capabilities and tooling, then extend that capability out using ML with data collected from the racetrack. Skills in ROS2, C++, and machine learning are highly desirable. If you’re interested in joining this project, please specifically note which area of development you’re interested in. • Spacecraft Simulator: ARCL is home to our unique spacecraft simulator that can provide a frictionless environment for testing next-generation algorithms for space. As part of our ongoing research efforts, we are developing a new, more modular payload and adding additional sensors. This project will involve helping to develop the baseline hardware and controllers which we can compare our algorithms against, as well as helping to develop and deploy our new algorithms. Skills in mechanical design and electrical engineering, as well as some baseline knowledge of ROS2 are preferred. • River Boat Project: We can currently track river shorelines from the air and are looking to extend this work to surface vessels as well so that we can autonomously navigate unmapped rivers. Additionally, we’re deploying our NeuralFly family of controllers to this new platform type where the dynamics are highly nonlinear. This project will be to support the deployment of our compute vision algorithms on hardware, as well as modify and improve our existing controllers for our BlueBoat USV. Python and/or C/C++ experience preferred, and any experience with machine vision is also beneficial. • Bring Your Own Research: Got a cool idea that fits in with our lab’s interests? We’re always on the lookout for new ideas, so if you’ve got an idea that could be demonstrated as a ‘proof-of-concept’ over the course of a SURF, propose it and we can discuss possible opportunities to see it come to light!
References:	https://aerospacerobotics.caltech.edu/
Student Requirements:	(Required skills will vary by project, but some relevant skills might include the following) Python, ROS (Robotic Operating System), C/C++, Matlab, OpenCV, machine learning, math/controls coursework, CAD experience, manufacturing and design, robotics experience, drone experience, PCB design, microcontroller experience
Programs:	This AO can be done under the following programs:   Program    Available To        SURF    Caltech students only  Click on a program name for program info and application requirements.