Ronald C. Arkin

Regents' Professor Ronald C. Arkin is a leading figure in robotics and AI at the School of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He directs the Mobile Robot Laboratory and serves as Associate Dean for Research in the College of Computing. His work bridges autonomy, ethical decision-making, and human-robot interaction.

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1987)
• Former STINT Visiting Professor at KTH Stockholm (1997-1998)
• Sabbatical Chair at Sony Intelligence Dynamics Laboratory (2005)
• Member of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Group at LAAS/CNRS (2005-2006)

Arkin's research focuses on robot ethics, autonomous agents, and multi-robot coordination. He explores the integration of moral emotions and ethical frameworks in robotic systems, particularly for applications in patient-caregiver mediation and subterranean exploration. His work also addresses deception mechanisms and formal performance guarantees for autonomous missions.

Recent publications highlight advancements in heterogeneous robot teams for DARPA challenges, multi-modal control interfaces, and bio-inspired deception. His research spans artificial circadian systems, robotic nudges, and legal mediation in human-robot interactions.

• Regents' Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology

Arkin has advised numerous projects on robot ethics and autonomous systems, contributing to grants like the 2018 EAGER award for Misdirection in Robot Teams. He leads the Mobile Robot Laboratory, developing frameworks for robotic autonomy and ethical governance in diverse environments.