MnDRIVE: Robotics, sensors, and advanced manufacturing in Minnesota
CSE takes state-funded initiatives to the next level
In 2013, the University of Minnesota partnered with the State of Minnesota to launch a partnership that would align areas of research strength with the state’s key and emerging industries. The Minnesota’s Discovery, Research, and InnoVation Economy (MnDRIVE), which received $22 million annually, supported five strategic areas at the University: Robotics, Global Food, Environment, Brain Conditions, and Cancer Clinical Trials.

The UMN College of Science and Engineering led the MnDRIVE initiative on robotics, which included the areas of sensors and advanced manufacturing as well. Two outcomes of this initiative are the founding of the Minnesota Robotics Institute (MnRI) and the Center for Excellence in Sensing Technologies and Analytics (CESTA) on the Twin Cities campus.
Research highlights

Soft robots that grow like plants
The new discovery enables the robots to reach hard-to-reach places, complicated terrain, and potentially areas within the human body.

Virtual reality and robots are taking over the COVID-19 clean-up job
A robotics team is using virtual reality technology to clean areas potentially infected by SARS CoV-2 virus.

MnDRIVE-funded startup delivers tech research to market
Low-cost, magnetic sensor technology being used to improve the efficiency and usability of wake boats.
More stories
Find the latest in science and engineering research on CSE News & Features.