I’m currently working on a Ph.D. in Robotics at Carnegie Mellon University. For my thesis I intend to concentrate on the motion and manipulation aspects, particularly relating to non-prehensile and mobile manipulation.
My main research platform is the Tekkotsu robotics framework, on which I am the lead developer. This software was originally developed for the venerable Aibo robot, but since Sony decided to scrap their robotics division and is no longer making these wonderful machines, we now find ourselves in the process of porting the software to alternative platforms. However, we have an active Aibo user base around the world, and a large investment in Aibo hardware in our own lab, so our Aibo development will still continue for some time to come.
My advisor and I have developed a high-level robotics programming course (15-494 Cognitive Robotics) which was taught at CMU Spring 2006 and 2007, building on Tekkotsu and the Aibo. We have received grants to disseminate this curriculum to other colleges and universities, which includes funding to buy robots and equipment for these institutions.
About Me
