Papers
13
Total Citations
182
H-Index
7
About
Emmett Kerr is a robotics researcher whose work sits at the compelling intersection of tactile sensing, material recognition, and human-robot interaction, with a particular emphasis on applying robotic perception to real-world medical and manipulation challenges. His most influential contribution, "Material Recognition Using Tactile Sensing" (2017, 66 citations), established him as a leading voice in how robots can identify and classify materials through physical contact — work that directly addresses the practical demands of robotic grasping and manipulation. Alongside a series of studies on thermal and surface texture properties, Kerr has systematically benchmarked robotic sensing against human performance, revealing both the promise and limitations of machine touch. Perhaps most distinctively, Kerr has pioneered the use of tactile robotics in emergency medical triage, investigating how robotic systems might assess capillary refill time, detect pulse rhythms, and determine vital signs — research with potentially life-saving implications in search-and-rescue scenarios. His broader portfolio also extends into novelty-driven cumulative learning, event-driven vision systems, and EMG-based grasp classification. With over 170 cumulative citations across his published work, Kerr represents an innovative bridge between sensory robotics and humanitarian applications, making his research particularly valuable for students exploring intelligent, human-aware robotic systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Material recognition using tactile sensing66 citations · 2017
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- 3Novelty Detection as an Intrinsic Motivation for Cumulative Learning Robots21 citations · 2012
- 4Human vital sign determination using tactile sensing and fuzzy triage system17 citations · 2021
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- 8Towards pulse detection and rhythm analysis using a biomimetic fingertip5 citations · 2015
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