MIT Lincoln Laboratory: Pioneering Underwater Navigation with Ivy Mahncke
Ivy Mahncke, a robotics engineering student from Olin College of Engineering, made significant strides in underwater navigation during her summer internship at the prestigious MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Mahncke’s passion for underwater robotics was first ignited during her internship at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 2024. The following year, drawn by the allure of solving novel problems and creating groundbreaking algorithms, she began her internship with the Advanced Undersea Systems and Technology Group at Lincoln Laboratory.
Creating a Practical Approach to Underwater Navigation
Throughout the course of her summer internship, Mahncke focused her efforts on developing and fine-tuning an algorithm designed to facilitate underwater navigation for both human divers and robotic vehicles. The absence of conventional location aids such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) in underwater environments presents unique navigational challenges. Mahncke, along with her mentors, aimed to surmount these obstacles. Her diligent work in the lab eventually led to the field testing of the algorithm on an operational underwater vehicle.
Field Testing and Real-World Application
Mahncke’s work extended beyond the laboratory. She accompanied the team to various field test sites located in the Atlantic Ocean, the Charles River, and Lake Superior, giving her the unique opportunity to see the software she had worked on in a real-world context. The experience allowed her to play a critical role in the project and gain the trust of the lead engineers.
Reflecting on her experience, Mahncke said, “One of the lead engineers on the project had split off to do other work. And she said, ‘Here’s my laptop. Here are the things I need you to do. I trust you to do them.’ And so I was not only allowed to be on the water as an extra pair of hands, but also as one of the leading field testers.”
Acknowledgment and Future Opportunities
Mahncke’s internship supervisor, Madeline Miller, spoke highly of her contributions. “Ivy’s internship coincided with a series of rigorous field tests at the end of an ambitious program. We figuratively threw her right into the water, and she not only swam, but played an integral role in our program’s ability to achieve multiple goals,” Miller said.
The MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s summer research program runs from mid-May to August. Applications for the program are currently open. Interested students can learn more about the program and apply here.
For a closer look at Mahncke’s work and experience at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, watch this video by Tim Briggs/MIT Lincoln Laboratory (2 minutes, 59 seconds).
To learn more about Ivy Mahncke’s achievements and her pioneering work in underwater robotics at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, click here.
