Welcome to the Robotics Lab@IIT.  Our research is in the general area of robotics with specific attention to mobility in challenging environments.
Recent News
May 2017: Prof. Spenko was featured on NBC 5, CBS 2, WGN 720 and WTTW's Chicago Tonight for the kick-off of the Museum of Science and Industry's return of Robot Revolution.  
 
April 2017: Prof. Spenko received a write up in the Chicago Tribune

November 2016: The HyTAQ and Prof. Spenko were highlighted on the nationally syndicated Fox TV show, Xploration Station Nature Knows Best.  You can find it on Amazon Video and Hulu.  It is episode 12. 

June 2016:
  • We got some great coverage for our Science paper including an article in the NY Times.  No mention of IIT specifically, but we're part of the "other scientists!" 
  • Congratulations to Mohammad for his new position at Perception Robotics.  We're excited to continue to work with him.  

April 2016: President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spent some time checking out the Gecko Gripper, developed by Perception Robotics, our SBIR partner in bringing electrostatic/gecko-like grippers to  market.

Dec 2015:  Prof. Spenko was awarded a 2015 NASA Early Stage Innovations award for the proposal A Novel Electrostatic/Microstructured Adhesive with Dust Mitigation Capabilities
Prof. Spenko was named a top researcher of 2015 by ChicagoInno. 

Nov 2015: Performed HyTAQ testing with R4 Robotics and the Chicago SWAT Team  at their training facilities.  

Nov 2015: Congratulations to Don Ruffatto.  He is joining Gareth at JPL.  

July 2015: Congrats to Don Ruffatto for graduating with a Ph.D.  That's three Ph.Ds in one calendar year.

June 23, 2015 Patent 9,061,558 issued.  Congrats to Arash!

WMAQ-TV [NBC]
Interested in joining the lab?
  • Potential Ph.D. students should apply directly to the MMAE program.  Once you have completed your application, please email Prof. Spenko and indicate that you have applied.  
  • B.S. students should set up a time to meet with Prof. Spenko and bring their CV along.
  • Students interested in the Summer Engineering Research Immersion Program (this has been popular with students from the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program) should apply directly to the program.  There is no need to contact Prof. Spenko.  If you are qualified, you will be admitted.  
copyright The Robotics Lab at IIT 2014