A World of Discovery & Impact

Undergraduate research experiences open a world of discovery and innovation.  For members of the RI Summer Scholars program, the program experience can be one of transformation, impact and opportunity.   

Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute Summer Scholars program opens doors to future opportunities. Ask Eagle Dapeng Zhao (RISS 2018).  Since completing the RISS program, Dapeng has research at Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute with an extraordinary group of leaders in the field – including Dr. Red Whittaker, Dr. John M. Dolan, and is currently working with IBM Distinguished Service Professor Chieko Asakawa. Professor Asakawa recent research, of which Dapeng was research associate, was featured in an IBM video and showcases the groundbreaking research and innovative applications being developed at RI that change the way we experience the world.

CMU Robotics Institute Pipe Robotics Project Led by Dr. Red Whittaker 

As a summer scholar, Eagle worked under the mentorship of the legendary robotics researcher and innovator, Dr. Red Whittaker. His project focused on developing a precise localization method designed for in-pipe radiation measurement robots.  Eagle explained that, “Unlike other in-pipe localization methods, this approach achieves millimeter-level accuracy in hundred-foot runs and does everything on one robot without relying on tether cable or communicating devices out of pipe, which is an important feature for nuclear in-pipe robot. It overcomes challenges usually encountered by in-pipe localization such as long traveling distance and operation time, narrow view angle, and featureless environment.” 

Eagle completed his undergraduate studies at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, attended the RISS 2018 program, and began the CMU RI Master of Science in Robotics program in fall 2019.