Colin Keil

PhD Student

Colin Keil
  • ME in Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University
  • BS in Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University
  • Hometown:  Mattituck, NY
  • Field of Study:  Computer Science
  • PhD Advisor:  Robert Platt

What are the specifics of your graduate education (thus far)?

I am a first year PhD student, working in robotics. My main interest is the intersection of code and physical systems.

What are your research interests in a bit more detail? Is your current academic/research path what you always had in mind for yourself, or has it evolved somewhat? If so, how/why?

I have been transitioning away from mechanical engineering and into the programming side of robotics. My current project has to do with developing strategies for mobile manipulation tasks.

What’s one problem you’d like to solve with your research/work?

Current work in manipulation problems typically focuses on fixed, table-top applications. I am working to extend that work to a more general mobile platform.

What aspect of what you do is most interesting/fascinating to you? What aspects of your research (findings, angles, problems you’re solving) might surprise others?

Working with robotics causes you to stop and think about how humans achieve complex tasks. I am continually amazed by complex actions that humans can learn to do without conscious thought.

What are your research/career goals, going forward?

Looking ahead, I'm hoping to take my research out of structured laboratory environments and into challenging cluttered spaces.