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About

James McVay is a robotics researcher whose work sits at the intersection of mechanical engineering, musical expression, and practical field deployment. His primary research areas include musical robotics, sensor deployment systems, and inspection robotics for hazardous environments. McVay’s most significant contributions lie in the design and construction of expressive robotic chordophones—specifically, the development of Swivel and MechBass, two novel robotic guitars that push the boundaries of automated musical performance. His 2015 paper on expressive robotic guitars (13 citations) and his detailed overview of MechBass (9 citations) are foundational works in the field, emphasizing increased degrees of freedom and responsivity to emulate human-like playing. Beyond music, McVay has addressed critical real-world problems: his work on a low-cost sensor deployment platform (4 citations) enables safe data collection in dangerous environments, while his affordable mining inspection robot (2 citations) tackles the urgent need for life-saving technology in disaster scenarios. Through his diverse portfolio, McVay demonstrates a commitment to building robots that are both artistically expressive and practically lifesaving.