Focus

My research focuses on the development of complex man-machine systems, particularly for human and robotic teams.  Many human-robotic interfaces are developed from an engineering perspective with little actual user feedback.  The users of such systems are typically presented with data rather than useful information.  Previous results from Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction, and complex man-machine system development need to be applied to human-robotic interface development.  I believe the application of these techniques to Human-Robotic Interaction development will lead to the development of usable, efficient and effective systems that actual users will accept.  The incorporation and modification of these techniques as well as the development of new techniques are the goal of my work.

Interests

In general, my research interests include Complex Man-Machine Systems that employ Artificial Intelligence; coordination and cooperation of robotic and human teams; software agents; Human-Computer Interaction as well as Human Factors.

Prior

I spent the summer of 2001 working at Johnson Space Center as an ASEE/NASA Summer Faculty Fellow.  My project was to develop a Remote Intelligent Health Monitoring (RIHM) demonstration for Robonaut.  Robonaut is a tele-operatored Humaniod robot that will eventually be deployed on the International Space Station Alpha to assist astronauts during space walks. 

I spent the summer of 2002 working at Cornell University with Dr. Raffaelo D'Andrea. We are advising Cornell and Cal Tech participants in the SURF program.  The students were creating mobile robot teams to compete against each other in the RoboFlag domain.