Katherine J. Kuchenbecker
Science Fellow 2011
Skirkanich Assistant Professor of Innovation, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania
Katherine J. Kuchenbecker researches the design, control, and performance of robotic systems that enable a user to touch virtual objects and distant environments as though they were real and within reach. These haptic interfaces combine electromechanical sensors and actuators with high-speed computer control to fool the human sense of touch. Katherine received the NSF CAREER Award, was named to the Popular Science Brilliant 10, and has published in venues ranging from Surgical Endoscopy to the International Journal of Robotics Research. By studying applications such as robot-assisted surgery, stroke rehabilitation, educational computer games, and assistance for the blind, Katherine seeks to improve our understanding of haptic feedback and uncover new opportunities for its use in interactions between humans, computers, and machines.
