Join Our Mailing List to Learn More
More specific information in the instagram account above!
Join the mailing list here! and we'll let you know when our next meeting is! We'll also offer one-on-one meetings with teams you're interested in.
UM::Autonomy is an award-winning student project team from the University of Michigan. Each year we build an autonomous boat to participate in the RoboNation RoboBoat competition. The boat is completely designed and programmed by students and must complete a wide range of challenges that are designed to test its autonomous abilities. We aim to further the study of autonomous robotics at the University of Michigan by providing students with hands-on multidisciplinary design experience in artificial intelligence, image processing, navigation, naval architecture, and mechanical design. Each year we strive to push the physical and conceptual bounds of our autonomous vehicle.
The Competition
The RoboBoat competition is an international competition where students design, build, and compete with self-driving robotic boats, in a series of tests aimed at challenging teams through a variety autonomous (self-driving) tasks. We will be joined by 27 other teams from 4 continents.
The Boat
Rising from a legacy of resilience and relentless improvement, UM::Autonomy's 2026 boat, the Orca 2.0, surges into competition with renewed confidence and a single mission: pushing limits while enjoying every moment on the water. Fresh off a 4th-place finish, establishing us as the top team in the US, the Orca 2.0 enters the new season as strong as ever with its cutting-edge X-bow hull design.
To match this new platform, the team consolidated and standardized its electrical systems for resilience and faster iteration, introducing deeper monitoring over CAN and simplifying power distribution and diagnostics. On the software side, we transitioned to ROS 2 and added wind compensation backed by a matured simulation workflow and rigorous weekly in-water testing, creating a robust, modular foundation for repeatable success across core tasks.
The Team
UM::Autonomy has around 60 members across many different majors, including Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Naval Architecture, Art & Design, and Business. We are organized into several teams: Artificial Intelligence, Electrical, Mechanical, Advanced Capabilities, and Business. The Artificial Intelligence team is broken up into distinct subteams, which are Navigation & Controls, Task Planning, and Computer Vision.
Each year we look for motivated, talented individuals looking to make a splash in the world of autonomous vehicles. UMA has no selection process or time commitment requirements. This year, we have bite-sized projects for new members to onboard more smoothly and get a glimpse on the type of work we do. If our team and our opportunities float your boat, sign up for our mailing list, and we'll provide you with more information about our meetings! If you have any more questions, check out our FAQ and don't be afraid to reach out to us at umautonomy@umich.edu!
Join Our Mailing List to Learn More
More specific information in the instagram account above!
Join the mailing list here! and we'll let you know when our next meeting is! We'll also offer one-on-one meetings with teams you're interested in.
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors for your contributions!
Lastly, thank you to our alumni and friends for your donations during Giving Blue Day!
If you are interested in sponsoring UM::Autonomy, please email our 2025-26 administration team for more information.