Papers
13
Total Citations
5,387
H-Index
8
About
Steve Cousins is a pioneering figure in robotics, best known for his foundational contributions to open-source robotics software and 3D perception. As a key leader at Willow Garage, he helped shape the modern robotics landscape. His most influential work, the paper "3D is here: Point Cloud Library (PCL)" (2011), has amassed over 4,825 citations, revolutionizing how robots process and understand 3D sensor data from devices like the Kinect. Cousins was also instrumental in the creation and popularization of the Robot Operating System (ROS), authoring several highly cited papers that promoted code sharing and community collaboration, including "Sharing Software with ROS" (281 citations). Through his "ROS Topics" columns, he documented and accelerated the exponential growth of this critical infrastructure. Beyond software, Cousins championed user-centered design in assistive robotics, notably through the "Robots for Humanity" project, which developed mobile manipulators to empower people with severe motor impairments. His work at Willow Garage and beyond has left an indelible mark on robotics, fostering a culture of open-source innovation that continues to drive the field forward.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 13D is here: Point Cloud Library (PCL)4,825 citations · 2011
- 2Sharing Software with ROS [ROS Topics]281 citations · 2010
- 3Exponential Growth of ROS [ROS Topics]77 citations · 2011
- 4The SMACH High-Level Executive70 citations · 2010
- 5Welcome to ROS Topics [ROS Topics43 citations · 2010
- 6Exponential Growth of ROS36 citations · 2011
- 7Sharing software with ROS24 citations · 2010
- 8Is ROS Good for Robotics? [ROS Topics]8 citations · 2012
- 9
- 10Willow Garage Retrospective [ROS Topics]6 citations · 2014