Build With Us.

SAR is not a hobbyist club. Every member completes a rigorous onboarding sequence before contributing to our competition builds. Summer 2026 intake runs through a 48-hour Tech Sprint, where every applicant gets the chance to show what they can ship.

Join Now See the Process

The Expectation

Output, not attendance.

Every member, whether Core (local) or Consultant (remote), is tracked on an internal progress dashboard visible to the team. If a Consultant's output exceeds a Core member's for three consecutive weeks, that Consultant is highlighted. No favoritism. No politics. Just the work.

The 5 Divisions

Pick where you want to contribute.

On the application you will choose one division, then rank your strengths within the subdivisions of that division. Every member of the team sits inside exactly one of these five.

Division 01

Research

Literature review, experimental design, and advancing the frontier of our autonomous quadruped platform.

  • Locomotion and Gait
  • Perception and Mapping
  • AI/ML Policy Development
  • Systems Integration
Division 02

Engineering

Hardware builds, firmware, embedded controls, perception stacks, and AI policy deployment on the robot. This is where mechanical, electrical, and software work come together.

  • Mechanical and Hardware
  • Embedded Systems and Controls
  • Perception and Navigation
  • AI/ML and Locomotion
Division 03

Outreach

K-12 workshops, campus engagements, and community programs that grow the pipeline into autonomous systems.

  • K-12 Workshops
  • Campus Engagements
  • Campus Tabling and Demos
  • Social Media Content
Division 04

Events

Demo days, guest speakers, competition travel and logistics, and showcases that keep the team connected to the broader robotics community.

  • Demo Days and Showcases
  • Guest Speaker Series
  • Competition Travel and Logistics
  • Internal Team Events
Division 05

Operations

Budget, sponsorship development, brand and communications, and membership logistics. The engine behind everything the other divisions ship.

  • Budget and Finance
  • Sponsorship Development
  • Brand and Communications
  • Membership and Compliance

The Application Process

Three stages. No shortcuts.

Step 01

Application

Submit the intake form with your declared track, division, and Artifact Ownership Pitch.

April 17 through April 30
Step 02

Technical Review

Applicants complete one of two Tech Sprint tracks on a division-specific challenge.

Track 1: May 1 through May 3
Track 2: May 8 through May 10
Step 03

Onboarding Sprint

Full horizontal-flow training before you touch a build.

Division allocations sent May 12
Team brief May 14

Two Ways to Join

Core or Consultant.

Both tracks receive identical Legacy Status, which is a guaranteed spot on the Fall roster along with priority for VP and Lead promotions.

Summer Core

On the ground in East Lansing.

Physical team workspace access. Owns builds, field tests, and in-person demos. Expected commitment is roughly 10 to 15 hours per week on site.

Summer Consultant

Remote contribution from anywhere.

For students at internships or out of town. Owns code, CAD, grants, and design. Expected commitment is roughly 8 to 12 hours per week remote.

Apply to Summer 2026.

Applications open April 17. Deadline is April 30 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Division allocations are sent on May 12 after the Tech Sprint tracks conclude.

Join Now

Frequently Asked

FAQ.

Do I need to be on campus all summer?

No. The Consultant track exists for students at internships or out of town. The bar for output is the same.

Is this a guaranteed Fall spot?

Yes. All Summer members receive Legacy Status, which locks in a Fall roster seat and priority for leadership promotions.

I'm a freshman. Should I apply?

Yes, if you can show one shipped artifact. Class standing is not a filter. Evidence of ownership is.

What if I want technical authority but not management?

High-performing remote members can receive a Chief Architect or Technical Fellow role, which carries full technical authority with no administrative load. A limited number are awarded each cycle.