Robotics

CU Boulder has one of the leading robotics research programs in the country, with considerable expertise both within and outside the Department of Computer Science. The department has particular strengths in:

  • human-robot interaction and collaboration
  • robot learning
  • robot perception
  • robot planning and control
  • field robotics
  • localization and mapping
  • smart materials

Robotics research at CU Boulder is a team endeavor, with frequent collaboration among multiple research groups. The groups that work primarily in robotics in the Department of Computer Science are located in a large physical laboratory space known as the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory, located in ECES 111. These groups are:

We value an interdisciplinary approach to robotics, and our faculty are engaged in numerous on-campus, national and international collaborations.

Affiliated Centers and Interdisciplinary Research Themes

Faculty in the News

Associated Faculty

Affiliated Faculty

  • Nisar R. Ahmed

    Human-Robot Interaction, Human-Machine Systems, Probabilistic Modeling, Bayesian Methods, Autonomous Systems, Estimation Theory, Sensor Fusion, Machine Learning, System Identification
  • Eric Frew
    Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Robotics, Autonomy, Atmospheric Science Applications, Networked Robotics, Integrated Remote and In-Situ Sensing

Other Faculty with Robotics Expertise

  • J. Sean Humbert
    (BPRL)
    Bio-Inspired Sensing, Estimation, and Control, Insect Visual Processing, Autonomous Robotics, Flight Dynamics, Flight Control and Avionics, Dynamical Systems, Modeling of Biological Systems, Soft Robotics
  • Kaushik Jayaram
    Animal Inspired Movement and Robotics Laboratory (AIM-RL)
    Bioinspired Robotics, Biomechanics, Locomotion Robustness, Origami-Based Design and Fabrication, Distributed Sensing
  • Morteza Lahijanian
    (ARIA Systems)
    Formal Verification, Formal Synthesis, Hybrid Systems, Planning Under Uncertainty, Motion Planning, Model Checking, Dynamics

  • Additive Manufacturing, 3D Printing, Design Automation, Wildlife Monitoring
  • Marco M. Nicotra
    Robotics, Optimization, and Constrained Control Group (ROCC Group)
    Nonlinear Control, Constrained Control
  • Mark Rentschler
    Advanced Medical Technologies Laboratory (AMTL)
    Interdisciplinary Research, Biomechanics, Medical Device Design, Surgical Robotics, Biomechanics, Tissue Mechanical Property Characterization, Dynamic Modeling, Tissue-Device Contact for In Vivo Robotic Mobility, Medical Device Design Research, Surgical Robotic Assist Devices, Surgical Tools, Non-Invasive Sensory Measurement Devices

  • Practical Safety for Autonomous Vehicles, Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes, Decision Making Under Uncertainty, Artificial Intelligence, Helicopter and Fixed-Wing Aircraft Control, Autonomous Vehicle Interaction with Humans, Self-Driving Cars, Active Information Gathering for State Estimation