ARMA - a research laboratory for Advanced Robotics & Mechanism Applications - is a recent addition to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Columbia University. The laboratory was initiated, in January 2005. ARMA will focus on the following aspects of its mission:

• Advancing the field of kinematics of mechanisms & robot design:
  We focus on developing new methods of synthesis, analysis & optimization of novel robots and mechanisms. Our current research efforts include developing a new generation of robots using flexible links, actuation redundancy, and various mechanical architectures. These robots are developed for surgical applications that include microsurgery and minimally invasive surgery. Testing and developing new analysis methods  for task-based synthesis of parallel robots, snake-like robots and other novel mechanisms are the main focus of this research thrust. 
  


• Application-driven research:
  Although our research includes a considerable emphasis on mathematical methods of modeling of novel architectures, we aim at maintaining a sound balance between vital theoretical research topics and sound applications that benefit society. Our main focus is on developing new robots for applications in surgery. These robots may have complex and novel architectures, or simple, yet useful and beneficial mechanisms.
  


• Student involvment in research:
  Our main educational goal is to offer a productive, competitive, and positive environment in which graduate & undergraduate students can develop. We want to offer graduate students the opportunity to participate and define new research projects that will expose them to both theoretical and applied research. Researchers in the ARMA lab especially concentrate on the study of robotics, theoretical kinematics, and medical robotics. Undergraduate Students are welcome to participate in the ongoing research activity at ARMA pending space availability. Typically undergraduates from ME or other Engineering deciplines need to have some background in Matlab, C++, mathematics, design, and must be highly motivated. Usually we try to assign one undergraduate student per 1-2 graduate students for a research project. Occasionally undergraduates with a strong background in math can take research courses for credit based on time availability.