Development of Parallel Robotics

October 7, 2011 —

The University of Wyoming Parallel Robotics Research Group in the College of Engineering and Applied Science is actively investigating the design and application of parallel robots for precision pointing and vibration isolation. This research was initiated by Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor John E. McInroy and Associate Professor John O'Brien, based on their experience at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. McInroy and John O'Brien are developing a new parallel kinematic machine (PKM) for tracking and vibration suppression applications. The outcomes are novel prototype PKMs (with patent protections) new aggressive control strategies and journal and conference articles reporting results. Research began in 2006 and continues with all research being conducted at UW.

This two-arm robot has a pending patent. The work is currently funded by AFRL-Tyndall. NASA and the Department of Defense have also funded this research in the past. The research conducted at UW has been sponsored by numerous federal agencies over the past fifteen years.

John O'Brien's research focus is in the area of vibration suppression and precision pointing for space/military payloads, and manufacturing. He received a B.S. in aerospace engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; M.S. in electrical engineering from UW; and Ph.D. in electrical, computer, and systems engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. John McInroy received a B.S. in electrical engineering from UW, M.S. in computer and systems engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic and Ph.D. in computer and systems engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic. His research expertise is in robotics and automatic control.

 

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