Matthew Robertson

Dr. Matthew Robertson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Queen's University. His research focuses on bioinspired, soft, and multi-material robotic systems, emphasizing advanced manufacturing techniques, embedded control, and holistic design to enhance robotic performance in complex environments. He holds a PhD from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), a Master’s from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor’s from MIT. Before joining Queen’s, he worked in industry on robotic prostheses and served as a postdoctoral researcher funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.

His expertise spans novel materials (e.g., shape memory alloys, silicone polymers) and fabrication methods (e.g., laser micromachining, 3D printing). Key research areas include soft robotics actuation, underwater robotics, and wearable assistive devices. His work has been published in Science Robotics, Soft Robotics, and International Journal of Robotics Research.

Dr. Robertson has received the Swiss National Science Foundation Postdoc.Mobility fellowship. His research explores topics such as self-reconfigurable robots, vacuum-powered actuators, and biomimetic systems like RoboScallop. He also develops educational tools, including an affordable actuated dynamic walker kit.