Welcome to the Precision Systems Design Laboratory (PSDL) at the University of Michigan. Our work spans mechatronic and robotic systems, precision machine design, human-centric design, multi-DoF mechanisms and transmissions, and flexible system dynamics. Basic research and innovations in these areas have led to the conception, design, and development of multiple technologies including affordable medical devices for minimally invasive surgery (FlexDex technology), high performance nanopositioning stages for semiconductor metrology (HIPERNAP technology), motion sickness mitigation in autonomous vehicles (PREACT technology), and actuator-transmission systems that match human muscle performance.

Our research is built upon the theoretical foundation of kinematics, mechanics, dynamics, and controls. Our design philosophy includes several key principles: multi-domain systems engineering, deterministic and intentional design, and model-based decisions and optimization.

Current and past investigations in our lab include design and analysis of flexure mechanisms, nanopositioning motion stages, constraint-based design methodology that leverages elastic averaging, novel parallel-kinematic architectures, analytical modeling framework that captures key non-linearities in flexure mechanics, mathematical conditions for the existence and avoidance of non-minimum phase zeros in flexible systems, data-driven models for predicting motion sickness in moving vehicles, powered prostheses, rehab robotics, human-machine biomechanical and sensory motor interfaces, high force density moving magnet actutors, large stroke MEMS electrostatic actutaors, and high speed semiconductor wafer handling robots. This research has produced design insights and innovations that have helped overcome fundamental performance tradeoffs, resulting in machines and systems with unprecedented functional capabilities.

As an engineering R&D lab, we remain committed to identifying gaps in research literature and technological capabilities, innovating new ideas and creating new knowledge that address these gaps, and then translating these ideas all the way through complex value chains to realize technology-driven products that address societal needs.

Please feel free to browse through our website - your comments and feedback are welcome. If you are interested in joining our group, please send an email to awtar@umich.edu.

Shorya Awtar, Lab Director