Peter K. Allen

Peter K. Allen is a Professor of Computer Science at Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science, with a career spanning over three decades in robotics research. His work focuses on robotic grasping, 3D vision and modeling, and medical robotics, where he has made significant contributions to autonomous manipulation and sensor integration.

• Current affiliation: Columbia University Robotics Lab
• Academic rank: Professor
• Key research areas: Robotics, Computer Vision, Artificial Intelligence

Education

• A.B. in Mathematics-Economics from Brown University
• M.S. in Computer Science from University of Oregon
• Ph.D. in Computer Science from University of Pennsylvania (recipient of CBS Foundation Fellowship, Army Research Office Fellowship)

Research Interests

Allen's research bridges fundamental robotics challenges with applied domains. His work on robotic grasping explores low-dimensional subspaces and semantic task suitability, while 3D vision contributions include illumination coherence and texture registration methods. In medical robotics, he develops surgical imaging tools and BCI-enabled grasping systems. Recent publications show trends in:

• Deep learning for robotic manipulation (2017-2022)
• Human-robot interaction through BCI and augmented reality
• Deformable object manipulation (garments, thin shells)
• Multi-modal sensing (vision-tactile fusion)

Scientific Recognition

• NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award
• Best Student Paper Award (2007) for collaborative work
• Over 30 years of continuous funding from NSF, Army Research Office, and medical grants

Teaching and Mentorship

He has taught graduate courses in robotics (COMS 4733/6731) since 2010, emphasizing hands-on projects with advanced platforms like Baxter, PR2, and Fetch robots. His lab provides immersive training in:

• 3D photography
• Humanoid robotics
• Autonomous navigation
• Grasp planning