Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Helen McGregor is a leading figure in astronomical instrumentation, whose work is central to the next generation of giant telescopes. Her primary research focuses on the development of multi-object spectroscopy systems, particularly the innovative MANIFEST facility for the Giant Magellan Telescope. McGregor’s major contribution is the pioneering use of ‘Starbug’ robots—autonomous, self-propelled fibre positioners that can be rapidly and accurately deployed across a telescope’s focal plane. This technology dramatically increases the number of celestial objects that can be observed simultaneously, enabling wide-field surveys that were previously impossible. Her 2018 paper on MANIFEST, which has garnered 5 citations, details how this system will provide access to larger fields of view and higher multiplexing, effectively transforming the observational power of seeing-limited instruments. By solving the critical challenge of positioning hundreds of fibres with micron-level precision, McGregor’s work is laying the foundation for massive spectroscopic surveys that will map the cosmos in unprecedented detail, cementing her reputation as a key architect of future astronomical discovery.