Petra Jenning

University at Buffalo, State University of New York

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Petra Jenning is a pioneering researcher in swarm robotics and bio-inspired construction, whose work reimagines how large-scale structures can emerge from simple, decentralized systems. Her most-cited study, "Emergent Structures Assembled by Large Swarms of Simple Robots" (2016, 15 citations), draws direct inspiration from social insects—termites and ants—that build intricate nests without blueprints or central control. Jenning demonstrates that by programming robots with minimal local rules, entire swarms can collaboratively assemble complex architectures, challenging traditional top-down construction methods. This foundational contribution has opened new pathways in autonomous construction, disaster response, and adaptive infrastructure. Though her citation count is modest, her influence is disproportionately large within the fields of distributed robotics and architectural automation, where her work is frequently cited as a proof-of-concept for scalable, resilient building systems. Jenning’s research bridges robotics, biology, and civil engineering, offering a vision where future buildings are grown, not built—by thousands of simple, cooperative machines.