University of Michigan
IncomingFall 2026 (Incoming)
M.S. Robotics · Rackham Graduate School
Ann Arbor, MI
§ Index00 / 07
Seeking Summer 2026 Internship
Hi, I'm Ruoxiang Zhao
Mechanical Engineer·Robotics·Autonomous Vehicles
Incoming M.S. Robotics @ University of Michigan·RPI '26
GPA3.87 / 4.0
Dean's List7 semesters
TeslaIntern '25
ResearchXAL Lab
Scroll
§ About01 / 07
Mechanics, controls, and intelligent systems.
I am a Mechanical Engineering student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an incoming M.S. in Robotics student at the University of Michigan, with interests in robotics, autonomous vehicles, control systems, and product development.
My background combines hands-on mechanical engineering with programming, prototyping, and system thinking. I enjoy taking projects from concept to implementation through CAD, fabrication, testing, and control development. Through research and engineering projects I have developed experience in Python, ROS, MATLAB, vehicle dynamics, and practical problem-solving in multidisciplinary environments.
I am most motivated by work that brings together mechanics, controls, and intelligent systems to solve real-world problems. I am currently seeking opportunities to continue building my skills in robotics, autonomous systems, and advanced engineering design.
Top Skills
- Mechanical Engineering
- Robotics
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Vehicle Dynamics
- Control Systems Design
Full toolkit
Languages & Software
PythonMATLABSimulinkROSROS 2Siemens NXSOLIDWORKS
Domains
Mechanical EngineeringRoboticsAutonomous VehiclesVehicle DynamicsControl Systems DesignMechatronicsEmbedded SystemsSystem IntegrationEngineering Design
Hands-on
CAD3D PrintingRapid PrototypingCNC MachiningWelding
§ Education02 / 07
Where I've learned.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Aug 2022 – May 2026
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Troy, NYGPA 3.87 / 4.0
Honors — Dean's Honor List · 7 semesters (Fall 2022 – Fall 2025)
Activities — Rensselaer Motorsport · Rensselaer Student Auto Shop (RSAS)
The Cambridge School of Weston
Aug 2020 – May 2022
High School Diploma
Weston, MA
§ Experience03 / 07
Research, internships, and teams.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
XAL Research Lab · Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Feb 2025 – PresentTroy, NY
Contributing to autonomous-vehicle research under Prof. Franck Djeumou, including the Can-Am X3 project presented to Toyota Research Institute.
- Designing a self-driving Can-Am X3 focused on achieving stable control under slipping conditions.
- Developing autonomous braking, steering, and sensor subsystems for the vehicle.
- Using MATLAB and Simulink to model, simulate, and optimize control strategies.
- Designing custom mechanical components for autonomous systems via CAD and 3D printing.
- Exploring vehicle dynamics, control algorithms, and AI-based navigation.
ROS 2PythonMATLABSimulinkVehicle DynamicsControl SystemsRapid PrototypingRobotics
Engineering Department Intern
Tesla
Jul 2025 – Aug 2025Remote (China)
Reverse-engineered the Tesla Model 3 battery pack coolant distribution manifold and produced CAD redesigns, plus an integrated mounting bracket for autonomous driving sensors.
- Analyzed manufacturing process and potential failure modes and delivered an optimization assessment report.
- Created refined 3D CAD models of the coolant manifold for enhanced thermal dissipation efficiency; produced design documentation and renderings.
- Conducted simulation analysis on the improved manifold to validate thermal performance.
- Designed an integrated mounting bracket and cover for Tesla autonomous driving sensors, with a major focus on manufacturability and assembly efficiency.
Siemens NXCADThermal SimulationDFMMechanical Engineering
Shop Manager
Rensselaer Student Auto Shop (RSAS)
Sep 2022 – PresentTroy, NY
Manage weekly operations of a student-run auto shop and provide hands-on support for student vehicle work.
- Maintain a safe, organized environment for students doing maintenance, modification, and repair.
- Provide hands-on technical support across a wide range of vehicle systems.
Mechanical EngineeringVehicle MaintenanceLeadership
Team Member
Rensselaer Motorsport (Formula SAE)
Sep 2022 – Dec 2025Troy, NY
Contributed to design and fabrication of the team’s Formula SAE race car.
- Designed CAD files for wheel hubs for the race car.
- Helped design and develop an actuator system focused on battery cooling.
CADFSAEFabricationVehicle Design
§ Featured04 / 07Live · 2026.04
In motion.
A slow camera pass over the work that's currently on the bench — research, hardware, and software in active rotation.
01RESEARCH·2025 — XAL LAB
Can-Am X3 Brake Automation
Closed-loop brake automation for autonomous control under slipping conditions. Presented to Toyota Research Institute.
ROS 2PythonMechatronicsVehicle Dynamics
02HARDWARE·2026 — PERSONAL
TokenJar
ESP32-S3C++
03AI SYSTEM·2026 — PERSONAL
DayTradeAgents
Multi-AgentClaude
§ Selected Work05 / 07
Projects.
A mix of research, capstone, coursework, and personal builds across robotics, mechanical design, and software.
§ I
Robotics & Autonomous Systems
04 pcClosed-loop control, actuation, and embedded sensing.
1 / 4
RPI · XAL Research Lab·Sep 2025 – Present
Can-Am X3 Brake Automation System
Brake-automation design for a Can-Am X3 supporting automated vehicle control and testing. Handles system design, actuation concepts, and practical integration for closed-loop control under slipping conditions.
ROS 2PythonMechatronicsCADVehicle Dynamics
1 / 2
RPI · XAL Research Lab·Feb 2025 – Sep 2025
Can-Am X3 Wheel Speed Sensor
Encoder-based wheel speed sensing system with embedded hardware integration for vehicle data acquisition. Ties into the broader autonomous stack on the Can-Am X3 platform.
EmbeddedSensorsData AcquisitionCAD
Aug 2024 – Jan 2025
Cycloidal Drive Gearbox (NEMA 17)
Designed a cycloidal drive gearbox for compact high-reduction actuation in robotics applications. Full CAD, tolerance analysis, and prototype validation.
CADSiemens NXMechanical Design3D Printing
1 / 2
RCOS·Jan 2024 – Aug 2025
4-DOF Robotic Arm
Designed and built a 4-DOF robotic arm with focus on mechanical structure, motion, and actuator integration. Planned AI-powered camera for object detection and pick-and-place; integrated onto the Leaf Vacuum robot platform.
CAD3D PrintingArduinoMechatronics
§ II
Mechanical Design & Controls
04 pcMechanisms, capstone, and award-winning team builds.
1 / 5
Capstone · for Sodexo at RPI
Automated To-Go Box Dispenser
Senior capstone: a fully automated vertical magazine dispenser with escapement/indexer, lead screw lift, and NEMA 23 stepper actuation. End-to-end design, fabrication, and control.
CADMechatronicsStepper ControlCapstone
1 / 3
MANE 4500
BeamNG.tech + ROS 2 Vehicle Controls
Implemented feedforward + PI speed controllers for a vehicle in BeamNG.tech using ROS 2. Used PlotJuggler for log analysis and controller tuning.
ROS 2PythonControl SystemsPlotJuggler
IED · Team of six·Aug 2023 – Dec 2023
Leaf Vacuum Robot
Award-winning 3D-printed yard-cleaning robot with tracked chassis, two motors, and vacuum system controlled by Arduino. Recognized as Best IED Project at RPI — recognized two years running.
Siemens NX3D PrintingArduinoTeam Project
1 / 2
Coursework
Heartbeat Sensor
Analog circuit with amplifiers and filters to detect heartbeats in the 60–180 bpm range. Signal conditioning and noise rejection from first principles.
Analog CircuitsSignal ProcessingElectronics
§ III
Software & Maker
04 pcHardware-adjacent code and personal fabrication.
1 / 3
Sep 2023 – Present
Voron 3D Printer Build & Customization
Self-assembled two Vorons from scratch for high-speed, high-quality printing. Customized G-code, upgraded a Voron 2.4 with a carbon fiber gantry and metal components, and designed custom camera and LED mounts in CAD.
VoronG-codeCADHardware
§ The Garage06 / 07
Cars I've built, broken, and loved.
Personal builds and daily drivers. Wrenching on cars is how I got into mechanical engineering in the first place.
1990 Mazda Miata 1.6 (NA)
Current build
Coilovers, suspension work, staged upgrades. Project car.
1 / 2
1993 Mazda MX-5 Restoration
2023 – current
Full overhaul: disassembly, cleaning, chassis repair, preparing for new paint.
1 / 3
1995 Mercedes-Benz S500 (W140)
2023
Restoration focused on mechanical repairs and aesthetic improvements.
1 / 2
2017 Honda Civic Type R
2022 – 2024
Performance and aesthetic modifications.
1 / 2
2013 Subaru BRZ Limited
2020 – 2023
Performance and handling upgrades.
§ Get in touch07 / 07
Let's build something.
Open to Summer 2026 internship conversations, research chats, and anything else at the intersection of mechanics, controls, and intelligent systems.