MacArthur Fellows Program

Daniela Rus

Computer Scientist and Roboticist | Class of 2002

Building innovative devices ranging from abstract information processors to self-reconfiguring robots.

Title
Computer Scientist and Roboticist
Affiliation
Dartmouth College
Location
Hanover, New Hampshire
Age
39 at time of award
Published September 25, 2002

About Daniela's Work

Daniela Rus is a young computer scientist and roboticist whose research extends from abstract aspects of information processing to practical implementation of self-reconfigurable robots (which have multiple subunits and are able to adjust their spatial interconnections dynamically according to function of the device and in response to constraints of the environment). Rus has not only developed algorithms for coordinating the subunit interactions, she has also demonstrated that they work in functioning mechanical devices. Viable self-reconfigurable machines could be used in many situations where the possible obstacles and constraints on movement could not ever be fully anticipated in preprogrammed control software (e.g., deep sea or planetary exploration). Although her work on self-reconfiguring robots readily captures the popular imagination, Rus’s research extends deeply into other aspects of robotics, such as distributed manipulation control systems, and into computer science, such as information capture and organization. She has demonstrated a capacity to move effortlessly among the most challenging issues in the theory and application of computer science and robotics.

Biography

Daniela Rus received her Ph.D. (1992) from Cornell University. She is currently an associate professor at Dartmouth College and directs the Dartmouth Robotics Laboratory, which she founded in 1994. Rus also co-founded (1995) and co-directs the Dartmouth Transportable Agents Laboratory. She has received an NSF Career Award (1996), the Honda Initiation Award (1999), and a Sloan Foundation Fellowship (1998).

Select News Coverage of Daniela Rus

Photos for Download

High-resolution photos of MacArthur Fellows are available for download (right click and save), including use by media, in accordance with this copyright policy.


Please credit: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

More Fellows

View All 2002 Fellows

Stay Informed
Sign up for periodic news updates and event invitations.

Connect with us on social media or view all of our social media content in one place.

The privacy of your data is important to us. We've updated our privacy policies in response to General Data Protection Regulation.