What are the responsibilities and job description for the Smart Living Intern position at Arc Human Services?
This internship provides a hands-on opportunity for a college student to contribute to assistive technology development using the Stretch Robot platform. The intern will collaborate with the technology team to design, program, and test a functional robotic task that supports independence and accessibility.
2. Schedule & Work Structure
· Duration: 14 weeks (May 11 – August 14, 2026)
· Estimated Weekly Hours: 15–25 hours per week (flexible based on academic schedule and project needs)
· Work Format: Hybrid
o Remote and in-person work will be jointly determined by the intern and tech team
o In-person sessions will be scheduled as needed for hardware testing, fabrication, and integration
o Regular check-ins (weekly) will be established
3. Objectives
The intern will:
· Gain experience in robotics programming and assistive technology applications
· Contribute to the development of a functional robotic capability
· Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team on real-world problem solving
4. Core Responsibilities
A. Primary Project
· Program the Stretch Robot to successfully perform one defined assistive task, such as:
o Retrieving an item for a user
o Delivering an object to a designated location
· Participate in selecting and refining the task in collaboration with the team
· Develop, test, and iterate on software and control systems required to complete the task
· Document development process, challenges, and outcomes
B. Secondary Development Activities
· Assist in designing and prototyping enhancements to the robot, which may include:
o Custom attachments or modifications for the robot’s gripper/hand
o Fabrication of assistive tools or accessories
o Development of a docking or charging station
· Explore usability improvements for real-world assistive applications
C. Collaboration & Communication
· Attend regular team meetings and provide progress updates
· Collaborate with engineers, designers, and stakeholders
· Maintain clear documentation of code, designs, and testing results
5. Deliverables
By the end of the internship, the intern will provide:
· A functional demonstration of the Stretch Robot completing the selected task
· Supporting codebase and documentation
· A summary report including:
o Project overview
o Design decisions and iterations
o Challenges and solutions
o Recommendations for future development
6. Supervision & Support
· The intern will work under the guidance of the technology team
· Mentorship and technical support will be provided throughout the internship
· Feedback will be given regularly to support learning and progress
Qualifications:
Required / Preferred Skills
· Interest in robotics, programming, or assistive technology
· Basic experience with programming (e.g., Python, ROS, or similar)
· Problem-solving and willingness to learn
· Ability to work independently and collaboratively
9. Flexibility Clause
This scope of work is intended to provide structure while allowing flexibility. Specific tasks, schedules, and deliverables may be adjusted based on project needs, team input, and intern interests.
Salary : $15