Denis Laurendeau

About

Denis Laurendeau is a prominent Canadian researcher whose work spans computer vision, 3D sensing, robotics, and cable-driven parallel robot systems. Based at Université Laval, he has made foundational contributions to how machines perceive and interact with three-dimensional environments, beginning with his early work on industrial 3D sensing in 1989 and continuing through the development of the TRID sensor — a fast, accurate rangefinder built on Biris technology for autonomous vehicle guidance and robotic manipulation. Laurendeau's most impactful contributions lie in cable-driven locomotion interfaces, particularly the design, control, and safety of haptic foot platforms. His 2009 paper on managing cable interferences in 6-DOF platforms (66 citations) remains his most widely recognized work, addressing a critical challenge in shared-workspace robotics. Complementary research on hybrid haptic control and human safety algorithms further established him as a leader in immersive locomotion simulation. More recently, his 2020 study demonstrated that cable-driven haptic feedback measurably improves human performance in virtual environments — a finding with meaningful implications for rehabilitation and ergonomic training. His additional contributions to autonomous robot mapping in urban environments and multisensor placement optimization highlight the breadth of a research career dedicated to bridging perception, robotics, and human-machine interaction.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Determination and Management of Cable Interferences Between Two 6-DOF Foot Platforms in a Cable-Driven Locomotion Interface

   66 citations · 2009
2. 2
   3-D Sensing for Industrial Computer Vision

   32 citations · 1989
3. 3
   Mapping and Exploration of Complex Environments Using Persistent 3D Model

   24 citations · 2007
4. 4
   Hybrid Control with Multi-Contact Interactions for 6DOF Haptic Foot Platform on a Cable-Driven Locomotion Interface

   23 citations · 2008
5. 5
   Adding Haptic Feedback to Virtual Environments With a Cable-Driven Robot Improves Upper Limb Spatio-Temporal Parameters During a Manual Handling Task

   18 citations · 2020
6. 6
   On the Design of a Novel Cable-Driven Parallel Robot Capable of Large Rotation About One Axis

   12 citations · 2017
7. 7
   Human Safety Algorithms for a Parallel Cable-Driven Haptic Interface

   10 citations · 2010
8. 8
   Multisensor placement in 3D environments via visibility estimation and derivative-free optimization

   9 citations · 2015
9. 9
   A fast and accurate 3-D rangefinder using the Biris technology: the TRID sensor

   8 citations · 2002
10. 10
    Special Issue on Computer Vision

    5 citations · 2006

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links