VASC Seminar
Tovi Grossman
Distinguished Research Scientist
Autodesk

Instrumented and Connected: Designing Next-Generation Learning Experiences

Event Location: Newell Simon Hall 1507Bio: Tovi Grossman is a Distinguished Research Scientist at Autodesk Research, located in downtown Toronto. Dr. Grossman’s research is in HCI, focusing on input and interaction with new technologies. In particular, he has been exploring how emerging technologies, such as wearables, the Internet of Things, and gamification can be leveraged [...]

PhD Thesis Proposal
Laura Herlant
Carnegie Mellon University

Algorithms, Implementation, and Studies on Eating with a Shared Control Robot Arm

Event Location: NSH 1305Abstract: People with upper extremity disabilities are gaining increased independence through the use of assisted devices such as wheelchair-mounted robotic arms. However, the increased capability and dexterity of these robotic arms also makes them challenging to control through accessible interfaces like joysticks, sip-and-puff, and buttons that are lower-dimensional than the control space [...]

PhD Thesis Defense
Christopher M. Dellin
Carnegie Mellon University

Completing Manipulation Tasks Efficiently in Complex Environments

Event Location: NSH 3305Abstract: An effective autonomous robot performing dangerous or menial tasks will need to act under significant time and energy constraints. At task time, the amount of effort a robot spends planning its motion directly detracts from its total performance. Manipulation tasks, however, present challenges to efficient motion planning. Tightly coupled steps (e.g. [...]

RI Seminar
Boris Sofman
Co-Founder, CEO
Anki

The Journey to Consumer Robotics

Event Location: GHC 6115Bio: Boris is co-founder and CEO of Anki, an artificial intelligence and robotics company focused on using these technologies to reinvent everyday consumer experiences. With an initial focus on entertainment, Anki's first product line, Overdrive, is a battle-racing game that allowed a level of physical gameplay and interaction previously not possible outside [...]

RI Seminar
Hanns Tappeiner
Co-Founder, President
Anki

The Journey to Consumer Robotics

Event Location: GHC 6115Bio: Hanns is co-founder and President of Anki, an artificial intelligence and robotics company focused on creating groundbreaking consumer products. Anki's first product line, Overdrive, is a battle-racing game that allowed a level of physical gameplay and interaction previously not possible outside of video games and was one of the top selling [...]

PhD Thesis Proposal
Stefanos Nikolaidis
Carnegie Mellon University

Decision-Theoretic User Modeling for Human-Robot Mutual Adaptation

Event Location: GHC 4405Abstract: In many application domains, robots co-exist in the same physical space with humans and aim to become trustworthy partners. We particularly envision personal robots arranging furniture with a human partner, manufacturing robots performing spar assembly with human co-workers, or rehabilitation robots assisting spinal cord injury patients. In such collaborative settings, humans [...]

PhD Thesis Proposal
Robert Paolini
Carnegie Mellon University

Data-Driven Statistical Models of Robotic Manipulation

Event Location: NSH 3305Abstract: Improving robotic manipulation is critical for robots to be actively useful in real-world factories and homes. While some success has been shown in simulation and controlled environments, robots are slow, clumsy, and not general or robust enough when interacting with their environment. By contrast, humans effortlessly manipulate objects. One possible reason [...]

PhD Thesis Defense
Michael C. Koval
Carnegie Mellon University

Robust Manipulation via Contact Sensing

Event Location: NSH 3305Abstract: Humans effortlessly manipulate objects in cluttered and uncertain environments. In contrast, most robotic manipulators are limited to carefully engineered environments to circumvent the difficulty of manipulation under uncertainty. Contact sensors can provide robots with with the feedback vital to addressing this limitation. This thesis proposes a framework for using feedback from [...]

PhD Thesis Defense
Samantha Horvath
Carnegie Mellon University

The Optical Coherence Tomography Microsurgical Augmented Reality System (OCT-MARS): a novel device for microsurgeries

Event Location: NSH 3305Abstract: We describe the development and testing of the Optical Coherence Tomography Microsurgical Augmented Reality System (OCT-MARS). This system allows surgeons to view real-time medical image data as an in-situ overlay within the surgical field. There are a number of clinical applications for which real time, in situ visualization of otherwise transparent [...]