SOP Sample for MS Robotics in USA - Fresher with Startup Experience

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

[APPLICANT_NAME] MSc. Robotics

Before humans could fly, it was a bold dream by [HISTORICAL_FIGURES] to bring this to reality. Before humans made their first step to the moon, it took a bold vision for several humans to make it possible. This is something called the ability to create and imagine beyond the impossible. In the true sense, this is a gift to humans, allowing us to stand out in the evolution hierarchy. I believe myself to be a dreamer. A dreamer who desires to dream things that are in no way close to reality and then put in my every single cell towards it with all my strength, courage, and will to pursue them. Ever since I got conscience with the world, I was always passionate about robots and machines. While pursuing my bachelor's degree, the one thing that got me curious every time was robotics and mechatronics.

Since my school times, I have always been an exceptional student; I was particularly very good with maths and science in school. I found my love for maths and science very early and am always curious about learning new things. I used to participate and rank in the top 3 every year in the Science fair competition. When I was in 11th standard, I built my niece's automatic cradle swinging machine. I didn't have much knowledge about electronics then, but I learned all the things on my own to finish this project. I built this project using some motors and timing IC to control the direction of the motors. This project helped me get better with my robotics foundation. That's where I found my interest in electronics and designing. And when I was in 12th standard, I built my first website called "[WEBSITE_NAME]" using HTML, CSS, PHP, and MySQL database.

A student like me who is so involved in robotics can only dream about giving a more excellent and better tomorrow by tackling the hurdles and difficulties in developing robotics and machines. This desire has motivated me to choose and make a career in a domain of which I have always been fond. During my graduation, I liked Digital Image Processing, Embedded Systems, Machine Design, and Robotics. During my 1st semester, I built my first robot: the mind-controlled robot. A small dual-motor robot was controlled using an Atmega 328p controller connected to an EEG headset using Bluetooth HC06. The robot used to move forward and stop using the binary output of the EEG headset. I also built a line follower robot for the national Techfest competition where my robot finished 6th.

Over the semester, I have done various projects. I was selected as a junior programmer to make a 'Disk throwing robot' for [COMPETITION_NAME] 2017. As a final year project, I built the three wheels omnidirectional robot called "[PROJECT_NAME]". [PROJECT_NAME] had 3 Omni wheels for omnidirectional movement. [PROJECT_NAME] used lidar sensors for SLAM with ROS. [COMPANY_NAME] provided the tools worth $200 for this project. [PROJECT_NAME] had voice recognition capabilities and computer vision capabilities. I also built the "[WEBSITE_NAME]" website to report and find lost goods. I launched this startup website in my college which was an instant hit. Many students found their lost goods because of this website. After which, I launched my new startup, [COMPANY_NAME], where I built the AI and voice recognition-based home automation system. We won 3rd prize for this project at [COMPETITION_NAME] national-level innovation competition. One of my projects, [PROJECT_NAME]—Helium ship for space research and cargo transport—was selected for incubation at [INSTITUTION_NAME]. During the 5th semester, I built a website "[WEBSITE_NAME]" where students can signup and find other students with common interests.

I also made a guitar playing robot named [PROJECT_NAME], for which I won the design stage of the [ORGANIZATION_NAME] presents [COMPETITION_NAME] competition. And during my last semester, I won the first edition of the [COMPETITION_NAME] competition organized by the [ORGANIZATION_NAME]. I received the first prize of ₹6,50,000 for my guitar-playing robot at the hands of then Chief Minister of Gujarat state, [GOVERNMENT_OFFICIAL_NAME].

Besides this, I am also active in extracurriculars. I have organized many technical events in college throughout the years. I have received the highest student achievement award of the University named "[AWARD_NAME]" for startups and extracurricular activities. I have also played chess at the national level, and I find playing chess relaxing, and it helps me make better decisions. I find playing chess and living life quite similar. You have to make decisions on every move. One wrong move in chess or one wrong decision in life can lead to repercussions after so many activities later in the future. Chess has taught me to make every decision wisely and cautiously because bad decisions may hunt you later. Being ahead in academics and extracurriculars, I have learned good communication skills, team management, leadership, and adaptability, which will be an asset.

Soon after graduation, I founded my startup company "[COMPANY_NAME]." I was working on the company's product even before I graduated. As CTO and CEO of the company, I have worked tirelessly to build the best product that the market needs. Since starting the enterprise, we have done one major project called "[PROJECT_NAME]." [PROJECT_NAME] is a hardware solution for keeping track of cheap and fast-moving inventory. [PROJECT_NAME] helps with optimization and management of cheap and fast-moving inventory. I won 2nd prize at the [COMPETITION_NAME] competition organized by the University for Project [PROJECT_NAME]. I won 3rd prize at the national level [COMPETITION_NAME] competition at [UNIVERSITY_NAME] for project [PROJECT_NAME]. We received funding and incubation support of ₹10,00,000 from the [INSTITUTION_NAME], one of the well-known incubation centers of India. We received the [GRANT_NAME] (Financial grant) from the Government of India for the product [PROJECT_NAME]. But I need to keep updating my knowledge regarding robotics. This MS degree in Robotics will help me acquire the best knowledge in the robotics field, which I'll use for the future products of my robotics startup.

We cannot think of the development in robotics without understanding and advanced research in binding domains: Hybrid and Distributed Control, Expert Systems, Automated Reasoning, and Autonomous Distributed Coordination Strategies. These are the fields that are considered the lifeline of developing robotics. Keeping these things in my vision, I want to contribute with the best of my knowledge and experience gained throughout my bachelor's and master's in my startup and bring fresh, innovative ideas to it and one day down the lane, I want my enterprise to be one of the tops in India. My short-term goal would be to excel in the course and gain expertise in the field.

I now seek to delve further into the technology research division and bring myself to the level of expertise in design verification and validation. Moving on, at [UNIVERSITY_NAME], I seek to enrich my understanding level and gain the necessary understanding of the latest systems. I am competent and confident for the same and firmly believe that a master's at this juncture would give me the necessary push and momentum that would hasten my steps towards my aspired career as an expert.

The Master's Programme in Robotics offered by your University is the perfect match for my career aspirations. I am impressed by the extensive curriculum and the excellent peer network the institute offers. More importantly, I am particularly keen on ongoing research on Collaborative Robotics and Intelligent Systems by [PROFESSOR_NAME] and look forward to learning from them. I am also rather excited about the Lab at the University and the excellent infrastructure which would assist me in my aspirations to carry on my independent research.

I strongly believe in myself and my potential in achieving the plans I have made. I can assure you that you will not be let down by my complete confidence. Performing well, learning more about the subject, and gathering practical exposure are my most important goals. I promise you that the University will recognize me as an asset of their own.

—[APPLICANT_NAME]