Sharmi Shah, a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has been making waves in the world of robotics and solar energy. Her journey, which began with a fascination for mechanical engineering, led her to develop an innovative solar energy harvesting robot named PEARL. This groundbreaking development is set to revolutionize the renewable energy sector and is a testament to the power of electronics, computers, and coding in shaping our future.
Shah’s interest in mechanical engineering was initially sparked by an image of students running across Killian Court wearing vibrant hard hats. However, it was her aspiration to impact the world positively that guided her to delve deeper into the field and eventually specialize in robotics.
Initially, Shah considered various majors, including pre-medicine and computer science. However, she finally decided on MechE’s 2-A/6, a unique program within the mechanical engineering department that combines core classes with a selection from computer science and electrical engineering. This program allowed Shah to tailor her studies according to her interests in robotics, entrepreneurship, and energy.
As part of this program, Shah spent a year developing PEARL, an advanced robotic system designed by the Engineering Systems Laboratory. This impressive robot utilizes solar energy to recharge autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and connect with low-Earth orbit satellite constellations for rapid data transmission.
Fuelled by the immense potential of robotics, Shah began enrolling in more robotics classes. In Professor Sangbae Kim’s class on bio-inspired robotics, she worked with her team to construct a hula-hooping robot. This project allowed her to gain hands-on experience in various aspects of robotics, from controls to mechanical design and software programming.
Shah also honed her skills in optimization techniques, perception, planning, and nonlinear controls through Professor Russ Tedrake’s classes on robotic manipulation and underactuated robotics. These experiences have equipped her with a broad skillset that combines elements from electronics, computers, and coding.
Shah is currently pursuing her graduate studies at MIT, working in Kim’s Biomimetic Robotics Laboratory. This field of study draws inspiration from natural processes and biology to create models and systems that address complex human issues. Shah plans to focus on the tactile sensing work she initiated during her Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program project.
Despite her clear goals, Shah acknowledges that her path may take unexpected turns, an uncertainty she welcomes. She believes in the value of learning from experience and sees every challenge as an opportunity for growth. “Not everything ends up going to plan, and that is ‘A-OK’,” she says. “You learn as you go … that thinking can apply to your career planning, or classes, but also to engineering — you try something, you try it again, you make a little progress. You keep trying.”
Alongside her academic pursuits, Shah is a member of Mirchi, MIT’s nationally-ranked Bollywood fusion dance team. She also frequents the campus makerspaces and the MechE lounge, a space designed for collaboration within the department. Shah emphasizes the importance of community and is grateful for the support she has received from her friends and family.
As she continues her graduate studies at MIT, Shah is eager to learn more and expand her knowledge. Her journey so far is a shining example of how passion and dedication, coupled with the right skills in electronics, computers, and coding, can lead to groundbreaking innovations that have the potential to transform our world.