Grant Kruger

Grant Kruger is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering, affiliated with the S.M. Wu Manufacturing Research Center. His research bridges engineering and healthcare through interdisciplinary innovation in manufacturing and intelligent systems.

Dr. Kruger earned his B.S. (2002), M.S. (2003), and Ph.D. (2006) from Nelson Mandela University, with undergraduate excellence recognized through multiple electrical engineering awards including the BSW-Channels Award for Best Senior Capstone Design Project and Academic Merit Awards across three academic terms.

His research program focuses on biomedical design and manufacturing, digital health, wearable technology, intelligent systems, and robotics—emphasizing practical healthcare applications through advanced engineering solutions. This work has established him as a leader in manufacturing science with significant contributions to anesthesia support systems and robotics.

Dr. Kruger's scholarly impact is evidenced by numerous prestigious awards:

• 2018 University of Michigan Research Faculty Recognition Award
• Best paper award at the 2018 Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference
• Best Paper at the 2015 Pattern Recognition Association of South Africa Robotics and Mechatronics International Conference
• Best Paper Award at the 2010 International Conference on Engineering and Meta-Engineering for 'Reactive Agent and Visualization System for Anesthesia Support in the Operating Room'
• S. M. Wu Manufacturing Research Center Extraordinary Research Award (2009)
• Institute of Professional Engineering Technologist Award for Academic Excellence (AY2001)
• BSW-Channels Award for Best Senior Capstone Design Project IV (AY2001)
• Electrical Engineering Achievement Award for best digital systems student (AY1999)
• Academic Merit Awards in Electrical Engineering (Winter 1997, Winter 1999, Fall 1999)

While no student advisement or grant information is publicly documented, Dr. Kruger maintains active research operations at the S.M. Wu Manufacturing Research Center where he continues to advance manufacturing sciences through cutting-edge projects in intelligent healthcare systems and robotics.