Monroe Kennedy

Monroe Kennedy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, leading the Assistive Robotics and Manipulation Lab (ARMLab). His research focuses on developing robots that collaborate effectively with humans, emphasizing tactile sensing, prosthetic interfaces, and human-robot safety. Key areas include assistive technologies, sensor design, and control systems for dexterous manipulation.

Research Interests: Kennedy’s work spans robotics, human-robot interaction, and assistive technologies. His lab explores tactile sensors for precise manipulation, safety frameworks for caregiving robots, and prosthetic systems with haptic feedback. He also advocates for equity in robotics through initiatives like Black in Robotics.

Key Trends in Publications: Recent work emphasizes optical tactile sensing (e.g., TensorTouch), shared autonomy in human-robot tasks (Diffusion-SAFE), and safety protocols for caregiving robotics. His 2024 papers also highlight augmented reality interfaces (ProACT) and Gaussian splatting for 3D reconstruction.

Labs/Teams: Directly affiliated with the ARMLab, which integrates mechanical engineering, AI, and human-centered design to advance assistive robotics solutions.