Research Talk by Kyle Johnson and Vicente Arroyos (University of Washington)

Title: Battery-free Autonomous Microrobotics

Lecturer: Kyle Johnson and Vicente Arroyos (UW)

Abstract:

In this talk we will present battery-free autonomous microrobots that can fly in the wind or drive independently on the ground using microwatts of harvested energy from light or radio waves. These mobile sensing platforms will have transformative impact in applications from agricultural monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and seeking out sensor sources in hazardous industrial or extraterrestrial environments. This work challenges the conventional assumption that locomotion is beyond the reach of battery-free robots, demonstrates several approaches for achieving autonomous operation in realistic application scenarios, and opens up a discussion on the practicality of large scale mobile sensor deployments in remote environments. We will discuss how miniaturizing robots to near the gram scale can significantly reduce their energy requirements, which when combined with electromechanical and structural innovations can enable autonomous battery-free mobility. We will explain how we leveraged origami to create shape changing leaf-out origami robots that can fly in the wind to disperse sensors. We will also explain how we leveraged intermittent motion to enable battery-free robots that can roll around on the ground. Finally, we will present preliminary work towards creating miniaturized helicopters and jumping robots.

Biographies:

Kyle Bio:

Kyle is a Ph.D. Candidate in Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington (UW) and the co-founder and current Executive Director of the outreach nonprofit AVELA – A Vision for Engineering Literacy & Access (AVELA). His research explores how combinations of low-power control mechanisms can be used to create autonomous microrobots optimized for resource constrained applications. These include technologies for battery-free onboard actuation, wireless communication, and remote sensing. Kyle is also passionate about helping decrease opportunity gaps in the education system for underrepresented minority youth. During the 2022-2023 academic year, he supported 100 different AVELA instructors in teaching to more than 1,200 K-14 students across Washington State. Findings from this wide-scale outreach will soon appear in STEM education journals and conferences. His work has been recognized by the NSF GRFP, Quad Fellowship Program, Amazon Science Hub Fellowship, Google Generation Scholarship, Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium, SPEEA ACE, Clean Energy Institute, Graduate Fellowship for STEM Diversity, Cadence, and the National GEM Consortium. His publications have appeared in Science Robotics and the ACM MobiCom conference and have garnered widespread media attention including by the NSF, GeekWire, Popular Science, and IEEE. In 2020, Kyle also co-founded the UW’s Black Graduate Student Association; with his community work reminding him of the wise words of Maya Angelou: “when you learn, teach. When you get, give.” Kyle’s Web

Vicente Bio:

Vicente is a Ph.D. Candidate at the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington (UW), where he works closely with Dr. Vikram Iyer. Vicente’s work involves the innovative use of low-power electronics, machine learning, and sensor systems for millimeter and centimeter-scale robots, contributing significant advancements in robotics with publications in prestigious journals and conferences such as Science Robotics and MobiCom. As a co-founder and board member of AVELA—A Vision for Engineering Literacy & Access, Vicente is deeply committed to STEM outreach. He works to inspire and engage underrepresented K-14 students of color in STEM fields. Through AVELA, he has created various initiatives and workshops to open up opportunities for minority students in engineering and technology. Vicente’s contributions to STEM education and robotics have been recognized through numerous awards and fellowships, including the Clean Energy Institute Graduate Fellowship, SPEEA ACE Fellowship, and the prestigious GEM Fellowship, underlining his commitment to academic excellence and community service. His dedication to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM is evident through his participation in panels, workshops, and mentorship programs, where he shares his knowledge and experiences to empower the next generation of engineers and scientists. Vicente’s Web

Time and Location:

Monday, May 20th, 2024

5:00pm – 6:00pm – Eng. Bldg. 2, Room 112C1

Zoom: Join the lecture