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About

D.H. Thompson is a robotics and teleoperation researcher whose work has made significant contributions to autonomous systems and remote excavation technologies, particularly in hazardous environments. Based at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Thompson played a key role in developing HERMIES-III, a sophisticated autonomous robot featuring a seven degree-of-freedom manipulator, laser range finder, sonar array, omnidirectional wheel-driven chassis, and a powerful hypercube computing system — a landmark achievement in autonomous mobility, manipulation, and perception that has garnered nearly 30 citations. Thompson's research extended into critical real-world applications, focusing on remote excavation technologies developed for the U.S. Department of Energy's Robotics Technology Development Program. This work addressed the pressing challenge of safely removing radioactive and contaminated buried waste at DOE sites, leading to the development of teleoperated backhoe systems and the Telerobotic Small Emplacement Excavator. Thompson further demonstrated the versatility of these systems through explosive ordnance disposal applications, adapting military excavation vehicles for remote operation to reduce risk to personnel. With a body of work spanning autonomous robotics and hazardous-environment teleoperation, Thompson's research has had lasting relevance for nuclear remediation and defense robotics communities.