Laura Herlant

Carnegie Mellon University, École Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées

Papers

Total Citations

157

H-Index

About

Laura Herlant’s research lies at the intersection of assistive robotics, human-robot interaction, and shared autonomy, with a focus on empowering individuals with upper extremity disabilities. Her most impactful contribution is the development of a teleoperation system that enables users to control robotic arms through automatic, time-optimal mode switching—a breakthrough that simplifies complex tasks like eating and grasping. This work, published in 2016, has garnered 105 citations and demonstrates how low-dimensional interfaces (e.g., joysticks or sip-and-puff devices) can be leveraged for high-dexterity manipulation. Her 2018 study on shared control for eating with a robotic arm (15 citations) further validated these algorithms in real-world scenarios, enhancing independence in daily living. Beyond assistive technology, Herlant contributed to the innovative field of robot theater, co-authoring “HERB’s Sure Thing” (2014, 23 citations), a collaboration between Carnegie Mellon’s Personal Robotics Lab and the School of Drama that staged live performances with autonomous robots. She also advanced skill discovery and improvement in robotics (2014, 14 citations), enabling robots to adapt learned skills to task variations. Herlant’s work not only pushes the boundaries of robotic dexterity but also directly improves quality of life, making her a key figure in accessible, human-centered robotics.