Reality Labs Research is seeking an intern with expertise in textile-based actuation systems to help advance the field of soft robotics.
Requirements
- Experience with textile-based actuator prototyping, including pneumatics, hydraulics, smart fibers (SMA, LCE), DEAs, or relevant actuation mechanism
- Experience with developing and piloting mechanical characterization techniques for actuators
- Familiarity with soft robotic technologies and literature
- Expertise with 3D knitting and yarn structures
- Expertise with in actuation control methods for soft robotics applications
Responsibilities
- Plan and execute cutting edge research to advance textile-based actuation systems for soft robotics in the areas of mechanical design and actuation controls.
- Collaborate with other researchers and engineers to prototype hardware and actuation controls solutions and run experiments to demonstrate advancements.
- Explore textile-based design and novel control methods, focusing on the development of innovative textile actuators that can significantly enhance the performance and versatility of soft robotic systems.
- Embed actuation within textile hierarchies, leveraging smart fibers, yarns, or textile actuator mechanical design, and to demonstrate new control strategies in complex, real-world soft robotics applications.
- Materials research, textile architecture and design, mechanical characterization (such as mechanical, electrical, and thermal analysis), actuation controls, and application demonstrations.
Other
- Currently has or is in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Textile Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or relevant technical field
- Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment
- Experience working and communicating cross functionally in a team environment
- Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences
- Intent to return to degree-program after the completion of the internship/co-op
- Availability for minimum 16 consecutive week internship
