As I wrap up my time with the RARE Lab, I want to reflect on the incredible experience of the past eight months. Working on such cutting-edge technology and research that has a real impact has been truly inspiring. I’ve learned so much about software, hardware, and embedded systems, and had the chance to contribute to exciting features like face recognition, body movement, wake word detection, and the overall software workflow of the robot.
Being part of the journey from ideas to 3D printing and assembling, to coding, and finally to writing a research paper and producing a demo video showcasing Bloom’s abilities has been one of the proudest moments of my career so far. Seeing the robot come alive and perform the tasks we envisioned was unforgettable. I am deeply grateful for the mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities I’ve had in this lab. This experience has not only strengthened my technical skills but also taught me the value of teamwork, perseverance, and creativity. I am excited to carry these lessons forward in my career. I wish the lab success in its future research and hope Bloom continues to amaze and inspire others as it did for me. Thank you to everyone who made this journey so meaningful.
— 1/26/2026
Hi! I’m Sofia Cobo, a Computer Science major at the University of South Florida. I’m passionate about artificial intelligence, robotics, and understanding how human interaction and behavior shape technological development.
My research experience began at the MiNT Lab, where I contributed to a bilingual language development study. There, I conducted participant assessments and managed data using tools such as R, SPSS, and REDCap. In addition to this, I pursued an independent research project examining school belonging, student well-being, and academic performance through data analysis to identify patterns in national student data.
I believe AI and robotics are essential areas to understand as they increasingly shape the future of technology and human experience. I’m excited to contribute to the RARE Lab’s projects and gain hands-on experience in one of today’s most innovative and interdisciplinary fields.
— 5/28/2025
- Undergraduate Researcher (5/28/2025-7/24/2025)
- Undergraduate Researcher (8/25/2025-12/19/2025)
