As new embedded systems and machine design methods are devised, the number of actuators and sensors on robots steadily increases. These new generation of robots are required to blend around with humans, fulfill missions quickly, and guarantee safety. One question that arises is what will be the gold standard of human-centered robots in terms of sustainability and performance. For this reason I will discuss recent advancements on new embodiments of robots such as the use of liquid cooled viscoelastic actuators to enhance proprioception, power density and position controllability in humanoid robots. I will then proceed to discuss key issues in distributed control embedded architectures for human-centered systems, interventional safety, and whole-body legged locomotion and manipulation.
Luis Sentis is an Associate Professor in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin and co-founder of Apptronik Systems. He received Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. He worked in Silicon Valley in the high-tech sector leading R&D projects in clean room automation. In Austin, he leads the Human Centered Robotics Laboratory, an experimental facility focusing on control and embodiment of humanoid robots. He writes extensively and teaches courses in areas related to realtime control of human-centered robots, design of high performance humanoid robots, and safety protocols in robotics. He was awarded the NASA Elite Team Award for his contributions to NASA’s Johnson Space Center Software Robotics and Simulation Division. He has been a speaker in popular events such as SXSW and Hot Science - Cool Talks. Luis is co-chair for the ASTM International Standards Committee of Exoskeletons and Exosuits and serves as an advisor for the UT System Federal Office National Security Advisory Group.