Name: Abhinav Bhamidipati
Major and College: Master’s student in Robotics at University of Maryland, College Park
Internship Title: Robotics Software Intern
Internship Site: Inception Robotics
1) Please tell us about your career goals.
My career goal is to advance the development of cognitively capable autonomous systems that can operate reliably in unstructured, real-world environments. I’m particularly interested in the integration of robust perception, sensor fusion, and learning-based control to enable adaptive, mission-driven decision-making. In the near term, I aim to contribute to full-stack autonomy solutions for aerial or ground platforms, working on both algorithmic development and field deployment. Long term, I’d love to lead efforts that make robotics safer, more reliable, and more impactful across industries like defense, logistics, or exploration.
2) Tell us about your internship (i.e., day-to-day responsibilities, special projects/clients, and work culture).
I worked as a Robotics Software Intern on the autonomy and perception stack for a terrain-adaptive unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). My day-to-day responsibilities involve developing and testing software on the robot, both in simulation (Unity) and on physical hardware. I work extensively with onboard sensors such as the ZED and Realsense cameras, and Velodyne VLP-16 LiDAR, integrating them for multi-sensor fusion to improve localization and obstacle perception. The system runs on an Intel NUC, where I optimize performance and ensure real-time behavior.
I’ve contributed to terrain based adaptive planners and integrated them with classical planning modules. I frequently run SITL pipelines and conduct regression testing to validate stability under varying terrain and obstacle conditions. I also maintain Docker-based CI/CD workflows to streamline testing and deployment. The work culture is collaborative, fast-paced, and encourages technical ownership and continuous iteration.
3) Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I learned about the internship through an email from my supervisor, where Inception Robotics had reached out looking for interns. I submitted my resume shortly after and was invited to interview. The selection process involved three rounds, including technical discussions and a project assignment to demonstrate my skills. I was offered the position following successful completion of the project and interview rounds.
4) Which of the following resources did you use to find your current experience?
Handshake or other job board
5) What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
What I’ve enjoyed most about my time at Inception Robotics is the collaborative and supportive team environment. Everyone was not only technically strong but also incredibly approachable and fun to talk with. I loved working on challenging problems, exploring new tools, and learning something new almost every day. Whenever I was stuck, the team offered guidance, and help me move forward. The balance of hands-on experimentation, technical depth, and a friendly, engaging culture made it a deeply rewarding experience.
6) How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I contributed significantly to the perception stack by integrating and optimizing data from sensors for robust localization and obstacle detection. These efforts helped advance the robot’s field-readiness and supported more reliable performance during simulations and real-world trials.
7) What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience (i.e., Internship search, Resume, or Interview tips)?
My advice would be to keep your resume honest and focused on what you truly understand, depth matters more than buzzwords. Highlight hands-on projects, clearly explain your contributions, and tailor your resume to the role. In interviews, be genuine, walk through your problem-solving process, and focus on showing how you approach challenges and learn from them.