Robotics & Autonomous Systems [MSD-RAS]

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The one-year Master of Science in Design: Robotics and Autonomous Systems (MSD-RAS) is a post-professional STEM degree exploring architectural design through AI and robotic fabrication. The MSD-RAS equips students with the knowledge and tools to rethink how architecture is designed, fabricated, and assembled—leveraging robotic systems, AI-enabled design, simulation, material computation, and autonomous workflows to push the boundaries of design practice.
ras.design.upenn.edu

 

MSD-RAS Core Knowledge

  • Design and fabricate full-scale robotically manufactured prototypes across three project-based studios
  • Develop innovative approaches to the design, fabrication, use, and life-cycle of architecture
  • Gain technical and conceptual expertise in robotic fabrication, simulation modelling, AI-based design and fabrication
  • Program adaptive robot fabrication routines, leveraging computer vision and sensor-feedback
  • Develop deep knowledge in several material systems and industrial manufacturing processes.
  • Develop leading research methods and scientific writing skills that enable PhD and industry-based R&D career paths


Fostering Innovative Career Trajectories

The MSD - RAS program aims to empower graduates to operate at the forefront of industry research and development by gaining state - of - the - art robotics, AI, material fabrication, and design-computation qualifications. Graduates emerge as highly skilled professionals, capable of shaping the present and future of architecture and adjacent industries through novel forms of production, practice, and entrepreneurship.

 

What Sets MSD - RAS Apart?

  • An immersive, robotic fabrication-based pedagogy within a leading global design school.
  • A unique education in architectural design and robotic fabrication focused on hands-on experimentation, design speculation, team-based collaboration, and access to world-leading facilities.
  • Research-led design thesis projects are developed across four independent and coordinated courses, ensuring specialist support from several domains of knowledge.
  • This STEM-certified degree offers direct alignment with high-impact industry and research careers.
  • Graduates move into roles at leading architecture, engineering and construction firms, robotics and tech start-ups, fabrication companies, academia, or pursue further doctoral study.
     

Who Should Apply?

This full-time program is intended for:

  • Students with a professional architecture degree
  • Post-graduates or professionals in other fields with related credentials
  • Those seeking advanced credentials in AI-enabled building fabrication and computational design


Program Goals

Upon completion, graduates will be able to:

  • Integrate advanced robotic, computational and AI methods in architectural design
  • Introduce advanced robotic fabrication methods in production workflows
  • Pursue diverse careers in research, practice, tech start-ups, fabrication and construction sectors, or academia
  • Influence the future of architecture with innovative, robotically enabled design and fabrication methods

 

MSD-RAS // Program Sequence

Summer Pre-Program

  • Builds foundational skills in:
    • Computational methods of generative design
    • Parametric modelling workflows
    • Machine learning (deep learning)
    • Introduction to robot programming

First Semester (Fall): Design-Fabrication & Knowledge Building

  • 2 x Design Studios. Each focuses on different robotic, material and manufacturing workflows
  • Technology courses building knowledge in:
    • Deep Reinforcement Learning
    • Robotic kinematics modelling and simulation
    • Software Programming and the use of APIs
    • Cyberphysical systems: circuit-building, microprocessors, sensors & actuators
  • Theory Seminar exploring architectural robotics, cybernetics, computation, politics of production, and more.
  • Elective course

Second Semester (Spring): Research-led Thesis Project

  • Thesis projects develop novel integrated approaches to design, manufacturing, robot programming and tooling, material-based and computational processes
  • Thesis projects are supported by four independent and coordinated courses:
    • Design-Fabrication Studio
    • Advanced Computation, Computer Vision, Realtime Robot Programming & Human-in-the-Loop programming
    • Robot tooling: pneumatic, electrical and mechanical design of robot tools.
    • Research Methods & Scientific Writing
  • After the final semester, student thesis projects are often published and presented in world-leading peer-review conferences

 

MSD-RAS // Curriculum

Term 1 - Summer 2-Week Introduction to 3D Programming & Machine Learning    
Term 2 - Fall ARCH 8010 Material Agencies: Robotics & Design Lab I 2 CU
ARCH 8030 Algorithmic Design & Robotic Fabrication  .5 CU
ARCH 8050 Introduction to Cyber-Physical Systems .5 CU
ARCH 8070 RAS Theory 1 CU
  Elective    
Term 3 - Spring ARCH 8020 Material Agencies: Robotics & Design Lab II  2 CU
ARCH 8040 Advanced RAS Programming  1 CU
ARCH 8060 Experimental Tooling  1 CU
ARCH 8080 Scientific Research and Writing 1 CU
  Total Course Units: 10

 

MSD-RAS // Facilities & Resources

MSD-RAS students work in Penn’s Advanced Research & Innovation (ARI) Robotics Lab, outfitted with ABB and UR robots, automatic tool-changing, 3D printers, kilns, and fabrication support spaces. MSD-RAS students are trained to utilize industrial robots and other equipment, and it is expected that a considerable amount of their design-research is developed through working on robotically fabricated prototypes and the development of robot programs and/or end-effector tools.

 

MSD-RAS // Faculty

The MSD-RAS program is taught by some of the Weitzman School’s most interdisciplinary and internationally-experienced architecture faculty, with expert knowledge in robotics, computer vision, electrical and mechanical engineering, and more.  Descriptions of the faculty are available on the MSD-RAS website.

 

MSD-RAS // Publications

  • The MSD-RAS program’s first book is out! Robotic Fabrication and Architectural Design: Integrated Approaches to Fabrication, Computation, and Architectural Design serves as a graphical reflection on the program. Research projects are presented alongside interviews with some of the program’s graduates together with insights into the exciting career trajectories they embarked on post-study. Essays from the program’s faculty dive deeper into several core topics such as the MSD-RAS’s approach to design research, critical engagement with industrial manufacturing processes, and the integration of semi-autonomous workflows in design and production. Also discussed is the program’s unique integrated approach to coursework and why it is inducive to the creation of novel collaborative work that expands design agency into unchartered territories and careers.
  • MSD-RAS student thesis projects are often published and presented in world-leading conferences. Links to a selection of recent research papers are provided just before the viewbook section of the MSD-RAS website.


MSD-RAS // Admissions Requirements

Specific information regarding admissions is found here.


MSD-RAS // Program Website

The program website is ras.design.upenn.edu

Robert Stuart-Smith
Program Director, MSD-RAS
Assistant Professor of Architecture
Affiliate Faculty, GRASP Lab, School of Engineering & Applied Science
rssmith@design.upenn.edu