A bi-annual read for the basement roboticists.
MRSD students sleep 30% less during the program MRSD students think that AGI will be achieved in <30 years ~70% of MRSD students would rather change the world than travel it for free MRSD students believe robots will be sold as commodities in the near future 5% of MRSD students have never got free food at CMU >70% of MRSD students think humanoids won't be in homes for next 20 years
Since its inception in 2011, the MRSD program has cultivated an extensive network of outstanding students, alumni, and faculty.
Program Director, MRSD
Dear MRSD Alumni,
Greetings once again from the RI and Pittsburgh to the MRSD family around the world! This newsletter again looks to be chock full of interesting content. Thanks to all who have had a hand in putting it together – and if you haven’t done so yet, think about contributing an article.
Sarah and I had a great visit to the Bay Area in June; it was a real treat to see so many of you there. Read about it in this edition of the newsletter!
The third edition of the MRSD software bootcamp was released to the incoming class in early June as a public link that you can find here. Thanks for its further development go to Kai Yun (a MechE MS student who worked in both my lab and Prof. Changliu Liu’s, and graduated in May) and 2024 MRSD alumnus Alec Trela. Let me know what you think and if you have ideas for continuing improvements.
Current MRSD students have a few more weeks of internship, and we look forward to welcoming a new MRSD cohort of around 50 students in August. Visits from alum are always welcome!
Enjoy the rest of your summer,
John
Program Manager, MRSD
Greetings, MRSD Family! Now we find ourselves in the heart of summer, and I’m reminded of the incredible momentum that continues to build within our program. The Class of 2025 recently launched into the professional world, and the Class of 2026 is gaining hands-on experience through internships across the country. Meanwhile, our incoming Class of 2027 is taking shape, with each new student bringing fresh energy and perspective to our ever-evolving group.
One of the most inspiring moments this season was reconnecting with over 110 alumni during our recent trip to the San Francisco Bay Area. It was a very busy three days, and John and I were welcomed with open arms. The energy, insights, and camaraderie shared during that visit reaffirmed just how special this network is. Whether near or far, your continued engagement strengthens the MRSD legacy.
This edition of the newsletter highlights the resilience, creativity, and collaboration that define MRSD. From alumni achievements to student-led innovations, there’s no shortage of stories that make us proud. I hope you find inspiration in these pages and feel the same sense of connection that drives me forward as we approach the next academic year.
With gratitude and excitement,
Sarah
MRSD's changing the world, one robot at a time.
As an avid reader of Isaac Asimov as a kid, Rohan dreamed of a world with abundant resources, in which robots attend to our every need. Today he builds robots that could one day explore the icy terrains of Enceladus over 790 million miles away.
Read more about his journey from an immigrant student to working at the edge of humanity.
Past, present, and future of MRSD
Give back to the community!
Enjoyed a particular section? Have suggestions for the next edition? Want to get involved?
We’d love to hear from you! Fill the form below and let us know your thoughts.
Donate
Hello successful MRSD alum! We hope you know that you’re an inspiration to current MRSD students. If you’d like to see the program flourish, consider donating to the program. Feel free to reach out to Sarah Conte (program manager) if you have any specific questions.
