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About

James L. Kirtley is a prominent electrical engineering researcher whose work centers on electric machines, motor design, and power systems. Best known for his contributions to permanent magnet synchronous machines and advanced motor technologies, Kirtley has made particularly significant strides through his involvement with the MIT Robotic Cheetah project — a demanding testbed that pushed the boundaries of high-torque, low duty-cycle motor design. His 2017 optimization study of surface-mount permanent magnet motors for the Cheetah (11 citations) remains his most recognized work, demonstrating how tailored motor architectures can meet the extreme mechanical demands of legged robotics. Complementing this, his 2016 investigation into cogging torque reduction through skewing techniques offered practical solutions for smoother robotic actuation. Beyond robotics, Kirtley has contributed to broader conversations in the field, co-editing a guest editorial on emerging electric machines for smart energy conversion (8 citations) and authoring work on electric power systems. His more recent research explores switched reluctance motors with hybrid excitation, targeting enhanced torque density for electric vehicles and robotics. Across his career, Kirtley's work reflects a consistent commitment to bridging theoretical machine design with real-world electromechanical applications.