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Maja J Matarić is the Chan Soon-Shiong Chaired and Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering, with courtesy appointments in Neuroscience and Pediatrics. She serves as founding director of the USC Robotics and Autonomous Systems Center, co-director of the USC Robotics Research Lab, and Principal Scientist at Google DeepMind. Previously, she held leadership roles as USC's interim Vice President of Research (2020-2021) and Vice Dean for Research (2006-2019). Her educational background includes: PhD in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from MIT (1994) MS in Computer Science from MIT (1990) BS in Computer Science from University of Kansas (1987) Matarić pioneers Socially Assistive Robotics (SAR) , a field her lab named, focusing on human-robot interaction that provides assistance through social rather than physical support. Her research targets critical health and wellness challenges including post-stroke rehabilitation, autism spectrum disorder therapy, cognitive exercises for Alzheimer's patients, ADHD academic support, and mental health interventions. She develops systems modeling user engagement, personality, and motivation, with extensive real-world deployments in schools, rehabilitation centers, and homes. Analysis of her recent publications reveals dominant themes in cognitive health robotics (2025 CHI paper on LLM-powered elder care), pediatric assistive technology (2025 IDC speech therapy review), and adaptive preference modeling (2025 HRI contrastive learning work). Her research consistently bridges machine learning with human-centered design for vulnerable populations. Major scientific recognition includes: ACM Athena Lecturer Award (2024) ACM Eugene L. Lawler Humanitarian Award (2024) ACM Fellow (2020) Presidential Mentoring Award (2011) Multiple society fellowships (AAAS, IEEE, AAAI) As a dedicated mentor, Matarić has championed underrepresented groups through CRA-W, placing numerous women in faculty positions. She leads USC Viterbi's K-12 STEM Outreach Program serving low-income Los Angeles schools and authored The Robotics Prime for student education. Her research has secured significant funding enabling real-world technology transfer, with documented impact in rehabilitation centers and homes through deployable SAR systems. Her Robotics Research Lab at USC drives innovation in embodied AI, with current projects spanning LLM-integrated elder care robots, ADHD academic companions, and autism therapy systems. The lab emphasizes co-design with end-users and rigorous real-world validation across diverse populations.

• Socially Assistive Robotics
• Human-Robot Interaction
• Assistive Technology
• +7 more

Prof. Stefan Leutenegger is a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Technische Universität München (TUM), leading the Machine Learning for Robotics group within the TUM School of Computation, Information, and Technology. Previously, he held roles as Senior Lecturer (2018–2021) and Lecturer (2014–2018) at Imperial College London's Dyson Robotics Lab, where he founded the Smart Robotics Lab. He earned his PhD (2014) from ETH Zurich, focusing on autonomous solar-powered aircraft navigation, and holds BSc (2006) and MSc (2009) in Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zurich. His research centers on mobile robotics, particularly enabling robots (e.g., drones) to perceive and navigate complex environments using machine learning and sensor data fusion. Key focus areas include SLAM, event-based vision, 3D reconstruction, and autonomous exploration. He has pioneered algorithms like BRISK (2011), OKVIS (2014), and ElasticFusion (2016), advancing real-time robotics perception. Notable Awards: Imperial College President's Award (2018), Best ECCV Paper (2016), ETH Medal for Dissertations (2015). Labs: TUM's Machine Learning for Robotics Group, Imperial's Smart Robotics Lab. Publications: Over 100 papers, including seminal works in CVPR, ECCV, and Robotics: Science and Systems. Current projects include DigiForests (forest inventory via robotics), aerial additive manufacturing, and object-centric semantic mapping. His work bridges theory and practice, with applications in autonomous drones, construction robotics, and human-robot interaction.

• Mobile Robotics
• SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping)
• Computer Vision
• +7 more

Dr. Mo Rastgaar is a Professor at Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Purdue University. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech (2008) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT's Newman Laboratory for Biomechanics and Human Rehabilitation. He leads the Human-Interactive Robotics Lab (HIRoLab), focused on assistive and rehabilitation robots for enhanced mobility, particularly lower-extremity devices. His research emphasizes understanding agile gait dynamics through human experiments and modeling. Research interests include assistive robotics, cyber-physical systems, dynamics, and control systems. Notable awards include the 2014 NSF CAREER Award. He has secured grants such as the 2019 NRI Collaborative Grant on robotic ankle prosthetics and 2020 grants for undersea infrastructure. Dr. Rastgaar's work bridges biomechanics, robotics, and clinical applications, advancing prosthetic designs and human-robot interaction. Key contributions include developing steerable powered ankle-foot prostheses and exploring multi-robot systems for underwater exploration. His labs integrate interdisciplinary approaches to solve complex mobility challenges, emphasizing both technical innovation and real-world clinical impact.

• Assistive Robotics
• Rehabilitation Robotics
• Cyber-Physical Systems
• +3 more

Prof. Raffaello D'Andrea is a Full Professor at ETH Zürich's Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, affiliated with the Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control. His research focuses on bridging digital and physical worlds through robotics, control systems, and autonomous systems. He has pioneered work in aerial robotics, swarm systems, tactile sensing, and soft robotics. His philosophy emphasizes solving 'easy' problems with scalable, robust solutions, prioritizing simplicity and replicability. Key research areas include UAV navigation, distributed control, tactile sensor design, and fault-tolerant systems. He has founded multiple organizations and led roles as CTO/CEO, emphasizing cross-disciplinary innovation. His work has commercial applications in logistics, healthcare, and automation, driven by a belief in technology's role in improving human life. Notable projects include the Cubli robotic cube, aerial vehicle swarms, and optical tactile sensors for robotics. His lab emphasizes collaboration and team leadership, aiming to translate theoretical insights into practical, scalable technologies. Scientific awards: None explicitly listed in the provided texts. Advising and grants: No students listed in the provided texts; grants information not detailed. Labs/Teams: Leads research at ETH Zurich's Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control, collaborating with industry and academic partners globally.

• Robotics
• Control Systems
• Aerospace Engineering
• +5 more

Kevin M. Lynch is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering, where he also serves as Director of the Center for Robotics and Biosystems. His research spans multiple domains of robotics, with particular expertise in dynamics, motion planning, and feedback control of mechanical systems. Dr. Lynch received his Ph.D. in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University in 1996, with a thesis on "Nonprehensile Robotic Manipulation: Controllability and Planning" under advisor Prof. Matthew T. Mason. He earned his B.S.E. with honors in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University in 1989. His research interests focus on robotics, particularly dynamics, motion planning, and feedback control of mechanical systems. He investigates mechanics, planning, and control of robotic manipulation (juggling, throwing, pushing, rolling, vibration, etc.) and locomotion. His work also explores self-organizing systems, particularly decentralized control of mobile sensor networks and swarm robotics, underactuated dynamic systems, and physical human-robot interaction with industrial applications. Recent research has expanded into bio-inspired active electrosense, underwater robotics, control and optimization for robot swarms, swarm shape control, and functional electric stimulation. Dr. Lynch's recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward rehabilitation robotics and human-robot interaction, particularly in lower-limb exoskeletons for gait training and rehabilitation. His work bridges fundamental robotics research with practical applications in healthcare, showing increasing integration of swarm robotics principles with human-centered design. The publications also reveal continued strong contributions to fundamental robotics theory, particularly in swarm formation control and manipulation dynamics. George Saridis Leadership Award in Robotics and Automation (2022) Harashima Award for Innovative Technologies (2017) IEEE Fellow (2010) Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence (2007-10) Society of Automotive Engineers Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award (2007) Early Career Award in Robotics and Automation (2001) McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science Teacher Of The Year Award (1998-1999) NSF Career Award (1998) As Director of the Center for Robotics and Biosystems, Dr. Lynch oversees significant research grants and initiatives in robotics. He has made substantial contributions to robotics education through his "Modern Robotics" book and associated Coursera specialization, which has reached thousands of students worldwide. His professional service includes serving as Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Transactions on Robotics, where he oversaw a 90% increase in submissions during his tenure. Dr. Lynch leads research groups focusing on swarm robotics and rehabilitation robotics, with particular emphasis on the Center for Robotics and Biosystems at Northwestern University. His teams integrate expertise from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and rehabilitation medicine to develop innovative robotic systems for both industrial applications and healthcare solutions.

• Robotics
• Dynamics
• Motion planning
• +7 more

Josie Hughes is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) within the School of Engineering's Institute of Mechanical Engineering. She leads the Computer Robot Design and Fabrication Laboratory (CREATE Lab) and serves on the doctoral program committee for Robotics, Control and Intelligent Systems. Her roles include teaching courses in product development, engineering design, and data-driven manufacturing methods while maintaining active research and student supervision. Her research centers on soft robotics with emphasis on adaptive design, fabrication techniques, and real-world applications. Key areas include agricultural robotics (exemplified by the GraspBerry raspberry harvester), biomimetic materials like self-healing e-skins, and developmental robotics (BabyBot project). She pioneers approaches integrating morphological computation, variable stiffness mechanisms, and machine learning for robotic control, while championing open-source principles and diversity in robotics through accessible educational initiatives like balloon robot kits. Analysis of her recent publications reveals dominant trends in soft robotics adaptability, particularly in variable-stiffness structures, sensor integration, and task-specific optimization. Her work bridges fundamental material science with practical applications in agriculture, food science, and human-robot interaction, frequently employing computational methods like Bayesian optimization and neural networks for design and control. Scientific awards: No specific awards were mentioned in the source materials. Dr. Hughes actively supervises 16 doctoral students across diverse projects including soft grippers for agriculture, biomimetic locomotion, and robotic manipulation systems. Her advising portfolio shows strong alignment with her research themes, with current students working on topics like modular soft arms, agricultural automation, and developmental robotics. While grant details weren't specified, her high publication volume indicates robust research funding. The CREATE Lab under her leadership focuses on holistic co-design of hardware and software for soft robotic systems, with notable projects including the GraspBerry agricultural harvester and BabyBot developmental platform. The lab emphasizes open-source development and educational outreach, maintaining strong industry and academic collaborations while pushing boundaries in reconfigurable robotics and human-centered applications.

• Soft Robotics
• Robot Design
• Fabrication
• +4 more

Dr. Yayun Du is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Vanderbilt University School of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Robotics and System Control (Minor: Solid Mechanics) from UCLA (2022) and was a postdoctoral scholar at Northwestern University's Rogers Group through 2024. Current faculty at Vanderbilt University Ph.D. from University of California, Los Angeles Postdoctoral experience at Northwestern University Her research integrates bioelectronics and robotics through three core directions: 1) Developing multimodal wearable/implantable sensors for health monitoring, 2) Creating human-in-the-loop interaction systems using brain-computer interfaces, and 3) Applying machine learning to medical environment robotics. She has deployed four sensor types across seven hospitals globally, serving users from neonates to elderly patients. Dr. Du's recent publications focus on wireless bioelectronic devices ( PNAS ), sustainable sensor materials ( ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering ), and agricultural robotics ( ICRA , IROS ). She serves as Associate Editor for ICRA 2025 and has received two Best Paper Award final nominations at IROS 2021. Finalist - Best Paper Award in Agri-Robotics (IROS 2021) Finalist - Best Paper Award in Robot Mechanisms and Design (IROS 2021) As head of the Du Group, she leads interdisciplinary research with applications in both healthcare and agricultural contexts, collaborating with Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE) and clinical partners. Her work emphasizes deployable systems that transition from academic research to real-world implementation in medical and industrial environments.

• Bioelectronics
• Intelligent Systems
• Wearable and Implantable Sensors
• +7 more

Noah J. Cowan is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University's Whiting School of Engineering, with secondary appointments in Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Neuroscience. He is the founder and director of the Locomotion in Mechanical and Biological Systems (LIMBS) Laboratory, part of the Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics. His research focuses on neuromechanics, robotics, and control theory, bridging neuroscience, biomechanics, and engineering. Cowan's work investigates how organisms achieve precise locomotion and applies these insights to advance robotics, neuroprosthetics, and rehabilitation technologies. Education: B.S. Electrical Engineering (Ohio State, 1995), M.S. and Ph.D. Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (University of Michigan, 1997/2001). Postdoctoral fellowship at UC Berkeley (2001–2003) before joining Johns Hopkins. Research Interests: Neuromechanics of motion, bio-inspired robotics, multisensory integration in animals (e.g., electric fish, Drosophila), and sensorimotor control in clinical contexts like cerebellar ataxia. His lab studies how neural circuits interact with biomechanics to produce movement, with applications to robotic design and neurological disorder treatments. Awards & Recognition: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (2010), IEEE Fellow, NSF CAREER Award (2009), and multiple teaching and research excellence awards at Johns Hopkins. His work has been published in top journals like Nature , Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , and IEEE Transactions on Robotics . Outreach & Mentorship: Longtime mentor for high school and undergraduate students in STEM, leading programs like the Baltimore Ingenuity Project and WISE. Served as team leader for the STEM Achievement in Baltimore Elementary Schools (SABES) initiative. Key Projects: Development of the LIMBS Lab’s VR systems for animal studies, bioelectric navigation technologies for medical devices, and collaborations with clinicians on upper limb movement disorders. His team’s research on electric fish and fruit flies has revealed principles of adaptive control applicable to robotics and AI.

• Neuromechanics
• Robotics
• Neuroscience
• +5 more

Dr. Heather Culbertson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Southern California, leading the HaRVI (Haptics Robotics and Virtual Interaction) Laboratory. Her research focuses on designing haptic hardware and algorithms to create intuitive human-robot interactions through touch, emphasizing realism in virtual environments and social connectedness. Key areas include mediated touch, wearable haptic systems, and multisensory integration in VR/AR applications. The lab's work spans robotics, human perception modeling, and cross-disciplinary solutions for healthcare and immersive technologies. Research interests revolve around tactile feedback systems, social robotics, and the psychological impact of haptic interfaces. Recent work explores real-time haptic texture rendering, affective communication via touch, and motion platforms for VR. Culbertson's projects often integrate human factors early in design to ensure usability and immersion. Publications highlight advancements in haptics coding standards, drone-human interaction, and emotion regulation systems. Her contributions bridge engineering and cognitive sciences, addressing challenges in wearable tech, surgical training simulations, and assistive robotics. The HaRVI Lab collaborates across disciplines to advance tactile interfaces for virtual reality, social robotics, and medical applications.

• Haptics
• Robotics
• Virtual Reality
• +3 more

Kim Jae-ho serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Electronic Information and Communication Engineering at Sejong University since September 2020, concurrently directing the Metaverse Autonomous Twin Research Center (ITRC) under the Ministry of Science and ICT. His leadership extends to the National Smart City Committee and TTA Internet of Things/Smart City Platform PG, with research focusing on hyper-connected autonomous intelligence systems for smart city applications. His research program centers on three interconnected pillars: (1) On-Device/Edge/Cloud-based autonomous intelligence architectures enabling distributed decision-making, (2) Spatial/situational awareness systems for intelligent environments, and (3) Collaborative intelligence frameworks for unmanned vehicle networks. This work bridges theoretical AI with real-world deployment in IoT ecosystems and metaverse applications, emphasizing practical implementations for societal benefit. Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a strategic shift toward metaverse-autonomous system integration, with 68% of articles addressing digital twin alignment, radar/vision sensor fusion, and multimodal AI for robotics. Key trends include UAV swarm coordination (23% of works), battery life prediction for industrial IoT (15%), and large language model integration for robotic perception (12%), demonstrating consistent focus on deployable autonomous intelligence solutions. His scientific recognition includes six major awards: Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award for Smart City contributions (2020) National Academy of Engineering of Korea's '100 Technologies Leading Korea 2025' (2017) Prime Minister's Commendation for Science/Technology Promotion (2016) Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Technology Award (2016) KETI Person of the Year (2016) Minister of Science ICT Future Planning SW R&D Award (2014) Professor Kim actively mentors graduate researchers through doctoral and master's thesis supervision while managing $12.7M in active grants including the 7-year Metaverse Autonomous Twin ITRC (2021-2028) and Connected Intelligent Sensor Platform project (2022-2028), with recent funding targeting UAV safety interfaces and industrial IoT battery systems. He leads the Autonomous Intelligent Systems (AISL) Laboratory at Ocean AI Center 529, which integrates government-funded research with industry partnerships to develop deployable autonomous intelligence solutions for smart cities and metaverse applications.

• Autonomous Systems
• Artificial Intelligence
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• +5 more

Professor Gopal Ramchurn is a Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Southampton. He leads research in human-swarm interaction, explainable AI (XAI), and responsible AI governance. His work spans interdisciplinary projects funded by EPSRC, BAE Systems, and AXA SA, focusing on applications in healthcare, maritime systems, and autonomous technologies. He is a member of the Agents, Interaction and Complexity research group and contributes to initiatives like the National Edge AI Hub and the AI UK ecosystem. Research Projects: Includes AI management frameworks, human-swarm teaming performance, and ethical AI in healthcare. Supervision: Currently mentors 10 PhD students in Computer Science and related fields. His research interests emphasize ethical AI deployment, scalable AI systems, and collaborative human-AI decision-making. Notable achievements include the AAMAS Best Demonstration Award (2023 and 2025) for work on human-swarm interaction and contributions to XAI in medical decision support.

• Artificial Intelligence
• Human-Swarm Interaction
• Explainable AI (XAI)
• +3 more

J. Edward Colgate is the Walter P. Murphy Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Human Augmentation via Dexterity (HAND) Engineering Research Center at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering. He also holds the title of Breed Senior Professor of Design. His academic career includes leadership roles as founding co-Director of the Segal Design Institute and director of the Master of Science in Engineering Design and Innovation program. Colgate earned his Ph.D. (1988), S.M. (1986), and S.B. in Physics (1983) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Colgate's research focuses on physical human-robot interaction with specialization in surface haptic interactive design and electroadhesion technology development. His work spans three interconnected domains: haptic interfaces (including wearable haptic arrays and Touchbot systems), robot dexterity through Shape-Based Remote Manipulation (SBRM) for overcoming communication delays, and high-speed electroadhesive actuators. The Northwestern Haptics Lab under his direction aims to create realistic virtual environments by merging these research vectors. His publications demonstrate consistent focus on tactile perception mechanisms, electroadhesion applications, and haptic rendering algorithms. Recent work explores texture playback fidelity, wearable electroadhesive arrays, robotic manipulation, and human-swarm control systems, reflecting interdisciplinary integration of mechanical engineering, materials science, and neuroscience principles. Awards: Elected to National Academy of Engineering (2021) for contributions to haptics, human-robot systems, and design education Inducted into National Academy of Inventors (2015) Educational initiatives include developing Northwestern's Design Thinking and Communication curriculum, establishing the Certificate in Engineering Design, and creating the Master of Science in Engineering Design and Innovation. He teaches ME 390: Introduction to System Dynamics using a flipped classroom model. Colgate directs the Northwestern Haptics Lab within the Center for Robotics and Biosystems, focusing on fundamental haptics research with applications in virtual reality, prosthetics, and human-assistive devices. The lab maintains active industry partnerships for technology transfer of haptic innovations.

• Human-Robot Interaction
• Haptic Display
• Teleoperation
• +4 more

Timothy Bretl is a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, holding the Severns Faculty Scholar position since 2021. He also serves as Associate Head of the Aerospace Engineering department. His research focuses on robotics, control systems, rehabilitation robotics, and engineering education. Bretl earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University (2005), with prior degrees from Swarthmore College. He holds affiliate roles across multiple departments, including Neuroscience, Coordinated Science Laboratory, and Computer Science. Education: Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Stanford University (2005) B.A. in Mathematics and B.S. in Engineering, Swarthmore College (1999) His research spans engineering education innovations, robotic manipulation, and brain-machine interfaces. Notable awards include the NSF CAREER Award (2010), Best Manipulation Paper (2012), and multiple teaching honors like the Rose Award for Teaching Excellence (2016). Bretl’s work integrates theoretical foundations with practical applications in prosthetics, autonomous systems, and educational technology. He has advised numerous projects on robotics, control systems, and human-robot interaction. His lab explores advanced topics like elastic rod manipulation, magnetic positioning, and curriculum reform in STEM education. Collaborative projects include partnerships with industry and interdisciplinary teams at the Beckman Institute.

• Robotics
• Control Systems
• Rehabilitation Robotics
• +4 more

Mikael B. Skov is a Vice Dean and Professor at the Technical Faculty of IT and Design of Aalborg University , Denmark. His research spans human-AI interaction, robotics, and user experience, with a focus on trust signaling in clinical AI, swarm robotics, and sound zones for domestic environments. Role: Vice Dean for Research Department: Computer Science Research Interests: Skov investigates how humans interact with AI and robots in healthcare and domestic settings, emphasizing trust calibration, alert design, and acoustic comfort. His work includes developing frameworks for UX maturity in robotics organizations and studying long-term adoption of sound zone systems. Recent Projects: As principal/co-investigator, he leads the HERD project on human-AI collaboration in robot swarms (2021–2025) and supervises Data og Bæredygtig Mad (2020–2023), an HCI perspective on sustainable food systems. Publications: His 2024 work includes studies on AI explanations in clinical training, music applications with intermittent interactions, and multi-robot supervision. Earlier projects (2001–2020) focused on mobile device usability, UX practices, and context-aware computing.

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Artificial Intelligence
• Robotics
• +6 more

Camillo J. Taylor is the Raymond S. Markowitz President’s Distinguished Professor in the Department of Computer and Information Science at the University of Pennsylvania , where he has been a faculty member since 1997. He also serves as Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the School of Engineering and Applied Science. His research focuses on Computer Vision and Robotics , particularly in 3D reconstruction, semantic mapping, and autonomous navigation. Education: A.B. in Electrical Computer and Systems Engineering, Harvard College (1988) M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science, Yale University (1990, 1994) Research Interests: Dr. Taylor’s work bridges Computer Vision and Robotics to enable autonomous systems to perceive and navigate complex environments. Key themes include semantic SLAM, event camera applications, and meta-learning for adaptive controllers. His projects often integrate vision, physics, and multi-agent collaboration, as seen in systems like EvMAPPER and OCCAM . Recent Article Trends: His 2024–2025 publications focus on semantic mapping , event-based vision , and multi-agent LLM systems , reflecting his lab’s emphasis on real-time perception, physics-informed reconstruction, and rational decision-making in robotics. These works span applications from solar eclipse imaging to wildfire analysis and natural hazard resilience. Awards: NSF CAREER Award (1998) Lindback Minority Junior Faculty Award (2001) IEEE WACV Best Paper Award (2012) Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award (2012) Advising and Service: Dr. Taylor has advised numerous PhD students, including Jason Hughes and Bowen Jiang. He has served as a Program Chair for CVPR (2006, 2017) and General Chair for ICCV (2021). His contributions to the GRASP Laboratory have advanced autonomous micro-UAVs and semantic SLAM.

• Computer Vision
• Robotics
• 3D Reconstruction
• +6 more