Michael G. Wagner

Arizona State University, University of California, Davis

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Michael G. Wagner has made foundational contributions to the computational design and control of robotic systems, with a particular focus on inverse kinematics and trajectory planning. His most-cited work, "Inverse Kinematics of Arbitrary Robotic Manipulators Using Genetic Algorithms" (1998, 20 citations), introduced a novel evolutionary approach to solving one of robotics' most persistent challenges—determining joint configurations for complex, arbitrary manipulators. This paper demonstrated how genetic algorithms could efficiently handle the nonlinear constraints and multiple solutions inherent in inverse kinematics, paving the way for more flexible and adaptive robotic control. Wagner further advanced the field with his research on "Computer Aided Design of Robot Trajectories Using Rational Motions" (1996, 8 citations), where he explored the use of rational motion representations to generate smooth, computationally efficient paths for robotic arms. His work bridges theoretical kinematics and practical automation, offering engineers new tools for designing robots that can operate in unstructured environments. Though his citation counts reflect a focused, specialized audience, Wagner's ideas have influenced subsequent research in evolutionary robotics and motion planning, marking him as a thoughtful contributor to the algorithmic foundations of modern robotics.