Lesley Shannon

Papers

Total Citations

101

H-Index

About

Lesley Shannon is a leading researcher in bioinspired robotics and reconfigurable computing, with a focus on developing versatile, autonomous legged robots for challenging environments. Her most notable contribution is the design and control of **Abigaille-III**, a bioinspired hexapod capable of scaling smooth vertical surfaces—a breakthrough that has garnered **94 citations** and demonstrates the potential for robots to operate in extreme terrains, such as planetary surfaces or disaster zones. Shannon pioneered the use of **Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)** to create a complete robot control system as a **Multi-Processor System-on-Chip (MPSoC)**, replacing traditional single- or multi-microcontroller systems. This approach, detailed in her 2012 work, enables faster, more efficient, and highly parallel processing for complex locomotion. Her 2013 design of a miniature, spider-inspired hexapod further showcases her ability to create lightweight, compact platforms for scientific exploration. By merging hardware-software co-design with biology-inspired mechanics, Shannon has advanced the frontier of autonomous robotics, making her work essential reading for students and researchers in robotics, embedded systems, and bioengineering.