AI-Driven Robotics for Solar Energy Maintenance: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Education and Sustainability
Maryam Nasri
Project Team- Dr. Maryam Nasri, Assistant Professor, Department of Engineering Technology, SUNY Buffalo State University, (Co-PI); Dr. Gang Hu, Assistant Professor, SUNY Buffalo State University, Department of Computer Information Systems, (Co-PI); Dr. Ilya Grinberg, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair, SUNY Buffalo State University, Department of Engineering Technology, (Collaborator); Jonathan Roy Rosten, Instructional Support Technician / Adjunct Lecturer, SUNY Buffalo State University, Department of Engineering Technology, (Collaborator); Dr. Saquib Ahmed, Associate Professor, Engineering Technology; Founder and Director, Center for Integrated Studies in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, SUNY Buffalo State University, Department of Engineering Technology, (Collaborator)
Buffalo State College
2025
IITG
$30,000.00
This interdisciplinary project combined AI, robotics, and renewable energy to develop an intelligent robotic platform for autonomous solar panel inspection and maintenance. Students in electrical, mechanical, and computer information systems built and tested the integrated platform in their capstone courses, presented results at seven conferences, and produced a transferable model featuring a modular architecture, structured rubrics, and integrated validation, which other programs can adopt. Two participating students were hired into the regional engineering workforce, and the work has received continuation funding for 2026–27.
https://peer.asee.org/58781 — ASEE PEER, published paper || https://youtu.be/Y_Sjr8lMd_8 || Demo in conferences https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKER9OETg7U || the website link for AI server is only accessable from Buffaso State campus