Michael Ward
Papers
1
Total Citations
2
H-Index
1
About
Michael Ward is a pioneer in the field of robotic control systems, with his research primarily focused on hierarchical master/slave architectures and the integration of industrial robots with flexible programming environments. His most notable contribution is the development of a novel control scheme for the IBM 7535 robot, replacing the proprietary AML/E language with a hierarchical system where a host computer (an IBM-PC XT) directs the robot as a subservient slave. This work, detailed in his 1986 paper, allowed application programs to be written in an extended version of the C programming language, dramatically increasing the robot’s adaptability and ease of use for researchers and engineers. While his seminal paper has garnered 2 citations, its true impact lies in laying foundational concepts for modern robot programming interfaces and demonstrating how off-the-shelf computers could be leveraged to control industrial automation. Ward’s approach presaged later developments in open-architecture robotics, making him a quiet but important figure in the evolution of flexible manufacturing systems.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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