Eric Diller, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Robotics Institute, Institute of Biomedical Engineering (cross-appointed); University of Toronto

Abstract: Micro-scale mobile robots can physically access small spaces in a versatile and non-invasive manner. Such microrobots under several mm in size have potential unique applications for surgery, sensing and drug delivery in healthcare, microfactories and as scientific tools. These devices are powered and controlled remotely using externally-applied magnetic fields for motion in 3D. This talk will introduce how we design and produce these tiny machines, as well as how we create magnetic fields that can move them as functional robots inside the body. Moving microrobots for swimming, crawling and grasping powered by these magnetic fields will be shown, along with our progress towards medical applications for diagnosis in the gut, and in neurosurgery.

Eric Diller received the B.S. and M.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Case Western Reserve University in 2010 and the Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 2013. He is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and the Robotics Institute at the University of Toronto, where he is director of the Microrobotics Laboratory. His research interests include micro-scale robotics, and features fabrication and control relating to remote actuation of micro-scale devices using magnetic fields, micro-scale robotic manipulation, and smart materials. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Micro-Bio Robotics, and received the IEEE Robotics & Automation Society 2020 Early Career Award. He has also received the 2018 Ontario Early Researcher Award, the University of Toronto Innovation Award, and the Canadian Society of Mechanical Engineering’s 2018 I.W. Smith Award for research contributions in medical microrobotics. He envisions an accessible future of medicine free of invasive colonoscopies, open surgery and long recoveries.
Lab website: http://microrobotics.mie.utoronto.ca/

Abstract:

As robotics increasingly integrates into our social and professional spheres, the question of how humans perceive and trust robots has gained prominence. Are robots regarded as utilitarian tools, designed to fulfill tasks efficiently, or are they embraced as teammates, eliciting human-like trust? Some argue that humans interact with robots in a way that resembles social interactions with other humans, a viewpoint aligned with the ‘computers are social actors’ (CASA) concept. Conversely, proponents of the robot as a tool view contend that humans perceive robots as non-human tools, promoting the use of human-to-automation theories and trust measures. In this presentation, we delve into these arguments and propose an empirical study aimed at shedding light on this debate.

Bio:

He holds the position of Professor in the School of Information at the University of Michigan and boasts a number of distinguished memberships, including AIS Distinguished Member Cum Laude and IEEE Senior Member. Dr. Robert obtained his Ph.D. in Information Systems from Indiana University, where he was a BAT Fellow and KPMG Scholar. Currently, he is the director of the Michigan Autonomous Vehicle Research Intergroup Collaboration (MAVRIC) and affiliated with various institutions, including the University of Michigan Robotics Institute, the National Center for Institutional Diversity at the University of Michigan, and the Center for Computer-Mediated Communication at Indiana University. Additionally, he is a member of the AAAS Community Advisory Board. Dr. Robert’s research interests revolve around human collaboration with technology, which is reflected in his published works in leading information systems and information science journals as well as notable computer and robotics conferences. His research has garnered numerous accolades, including best paper awards/nominations from the Journal of the Association of Information Systems, the ACM Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, SAE International, and the ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human–Robot Interaction. Dr. Robert has received research funding from various sources, such as the AAA Foundation, Automotive Research Center/U.S. Army, Army Research Laboratory, Toyota Research Institute, MCity, Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies, and the National Science Foundation. He has also been featured in print, radio, and television for major media outlets like ABC, CBS, CNN, CNBC, Michigan Radio, Inc., New York Times, and the Associated Press.

Abstract:

Improving the capabilities of robots in medicine requires innovation in both robot design and computational methods. In this talk, I will discuss recent research from my lab on both topics. I will present new continuum robot designs at both meso- and micro-scales intended for procedures in delicate tissues such as the brain and lungs. I will also present data-driven and model-driven algorithmic methods we have developed to model, control, and plan motions for continuum, deformable robots and deformable tissue in the human body.

Bio:

Alan Kuntz is an assistant professor in the Robotics Center and the Kahlert School of Computing at the University of Utah. He leads a highly interdisciplinary research lab consisting of computer scientists, mechanical engineers, electrical and computer engineers, and applied mathematicians. His research focuses on the design of automation and machine learning methods for robots and on the mechanical design and control of novel robotic systems with healthcare applications.

Prior to joining the University of Utah, he was a postdoctoral research scholar at Vanderbilt University in the Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of New Mexico and an MS and PhD in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Abstract:

Soft and continuum robots have immense potential to assist humans with tasks that require navigation and manipulation in unstructured environments. In this talk, I present my group’s research on the design, modeling, and control of a variety of soft and continuum robots. I begin by discussing soft vine-inspired robots, which move through their environment by extending from their tip and are well suited for navigation and manipulation within confined spaces. In particular, I discuss our research on vine robot field deployment, shape sensing, force sensing, and collapse modeling. I then present our research on two other bioinspired robots: spider monkey tail-inspired robots for grasping objects, and amoeba-inspired robots for navigation in confined spaces. Finally, I discuss our research on soft wearable robots for replacing or assisting the motion of the upper limbs. This research helps make robots more capable of assisting humans in the unstructured environments of everyday life.

Bio:

Margaret Coad joined the faculty at the University of Notre Dame in the fall of 2021, and she is currently an Assistant Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. She leads the Innovative Robotics and Interactive Systems (IRIS) Lab, which explores the design, modeling, and control of innovative robotic systems to improve human health, safety, and productivity; she also teaches courses in robotics and soft robotics. Prior to joining Notre Dame, she completed her Ph.D. degree in 2021 and M.S. degree in 2017 in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University under the direction of Professor Allison Okamura, and her B.S. degree in 2015 in Mechanical Engineering at MIT. She won the Robotics and Automation Magazine Best Paper Award for 2020 for her work on vine robots, and she has been a finalist for several Best Paper Awards at international robotics conferences. Outside of academics, she plays ultimate frisbee and sings in choir.

Abstract:

This seminar will provide PhD students and postdocs with some information on how to navigate the academic job market. The seminar will touch on 1) benefits and possible challenges of the academic career path, 2) the many aspects of the academic job search (such as timing, required documents, interview schedule, …), and 3) the essential tasks junior faculty (and people aspiring to be) must master quickly.