Stephen Smith, a systems engineer and a student in the Robotics Institute’s Master of Science Robotics Systems Development program, already hopes to revolutionize the food industry by making it easier to clean out peanut butter jars and other food containers.

As CEO of Jar With A Twist, Smith is working to find vendors interested in using the next-generation container, which uses a screw thread to move the contents of the jar to the top.

The MRSD curriculum provides a broad education in the sciences and technologies of robotics, reinforces theory through hands-on laboratory projects and exposes students to practical business principles and skills. Graduates are being trained to go on to roles such as chief technology officers and other executive roles at companies.

“We give them the tools and vocabulary and make them aware of how the world really works so they can hit the ground running much, much faster,” said MRSD Director Hagen Schempf.