Josie Hughes
University of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bridge University, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Inspire Institute, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR), National Court Reporters Association, Robotics Research (United States), CREATe Centre, Inspire
Papers
96
Total Citations
2,244
H-Index
22
About
Josie Hughes is a leading roboticist whose research sits at the intersection of soft robotics, manipulation, and intelligent machine learning systems. Best known for her highly influential review "Soft Manipulators and Grippers" (2016, 591 citations), Hughes has helped define the theoretical and practical foundations of compliant robotic systems, demonstrating how soft structures can enable safer, more adaptive interactions with complex environments. Her work spans an impressive breadth: from agricultural robotics — developing field-tested harvesting systems for iceberg lettuce — to bio-inspired designs like an anthropomorphic skeleton hand capable of piano playing, showcasing her talent for translating human dexterity into mechanical systems. Hughes has also advanced underwater soft robot control through differentiable simulation, and explored tactile sensing for proprioception in continuum structures. More recently, she has pushed boundaries by investigating how large language models can transform robotic design processes, reflecting her commitment to integrating emerging AI tools into physical robotics. Her contributions to Bayesian optimization for robotic cooking further illustrate her versatility. With over 1,300 citations across her career, Hughes stands as a defining voice shaping the future of intelligent, embodied robotic systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Soft Manipulators and Grippers: A Review591 citations · 2016
- 2A field‐tested robotic harvesting system for iceberg lettuce181 citations · 2019
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- 4Underwater Soft Robot Modeling and Control With Differentiable Simulation88 citations · 2021
- 5Improving Robotic Cooking Using Batch Bayesian Optimization65 citations · 2020
- 6How can LLMs transform the robotic design process?59 citations · 2023
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- 10Real-World, Real-Time Robotic Grasping with Convolutional Neural Networks44 citations · 2017