RI | Seminar | January 20, 2006

Robotics Institute Seminar, January 20, 2006
Time and Place | Seminar Abstract | Speaker Biography | Speaker Appointments

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Biomimetic Robots: Applying Biological Principles to the Design and Operation of Legged Robots for Planetary Exploration

Dr. Mark Cutkosky

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

Stanford University

Webcast

View the seminar.

Time and Place

Mauldin Auditorium (NSH 1305)
Refreshments 3:15 pm
Talk 3:30 pm

Abstract

Although cockroaches and other insects are primitive in comparison to mammals, they can negotiate difficult terrain with remarkable agility.Biological research has uncovered principles responsible for their success and engineers have applied these principles to small, legged robots that demonstrate similar speed, stability and simplicity of control. These biomimetic robots are fabricated using a rapid prototyping process that allows hard and soft materials to be combined in a single structure that can be tuned for dynamic performance and physical robustness. Dr. Mark Cutkosky will discuss the design, fabrication and control of biomimetic robots and ongoing work to increase their versatility.

Speaker Biography

Mark R. Cutkosky is a professor at the Center for Design Research in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University. He formerly was a lecturer and research assistant at the Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute and a design engineer at ALCOA. Dr. Cutkosky is the principal investigator of projects on Biomimetic Robotics and Dexterous Manipulation with Tactile Sensing. He has numerous publications in these and related areas and is a former Fulbright Chair and NSF Presidential Young Investigator.

Web site: http://bdml.stanford.edu

Speaker Appointments

For appointments, please contact Janice Brochetti (janiceb@cs.cmu.edu).

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The Robotics Institute is part of the School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University.