Lori Southard

About

Lori Southard is a pioneering researcher in bio-inspired robotics, specializing in wall-climbing mechanisms that replicate insect locomotion. Her work focuses on developing robots capable of navigating steep and vertical surfaces using passive compliant feet and insect-inspired attachment strategies, including claws and dry adhesives. Southard's most significant contribution is the creation of the Mini-Whegs™ platform, a series of climbing robots that use rotating wheel-legs to scale smooth vertical surfaces like glass. Her 2009 paper on this topic has garnered 109 citations, highlighting its influence in the field. She also advanced robot mobility by designing a body joint that enables seamless transitions from vertical to horizontal surfaces, a critical challenge in climbing robotics. Her research has practical applications in inspection, search-and-rescue, and overcoming large obstacles. With a total of over 160 citations across her key works, Southard's innovations in insect-inspired attachment and robot kinematics have established her as a notable figure in biomimetic engineering, inspiring future designs for agile, climbing robots.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Mini-Whegs TM Climbs Steep Surfaces Using Insect-inspired Attachment Mechanisms

   109 citations · 2009
2. 2
   A body joint improves vertical to horizontal transitions of a wall-climbing robot

   37 citations · 2008
3. 3
   Mini-WhegS™ climbing steep surfaces with insect-inspired attachment mechanisms

   10 citations · 2007
4. 4
   Making orthogonal transitions with climbing mini-whegs™

   4 citations · 2008

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links