Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Mohamad Shafiee Motahar is a leading researcher in dynamic bipedal locomotion, focusing on the intersection of control theory, human-robot interaction, and collaborative robotics. His work centers on enabling limit-cycle walkers—robots that achieve stable, efficient walking through periodic motion—to adapt and interact safely with humans and other robots in dynamic environments. Motahar’s major contributions include pioneering methods for gait adaptation under persistent external forcing, such as hybrid zero dynamics control, which allows bipeds to adjust stepping patterns during physical collaboration without explicit leader intent. His supervisory switching control approach for online gait adaptation has been instrumental in cooperative tasks like object transportation, where robots must exhibit compliance and stability. With over 90 citations across his most-cited works, including foundational papers from 2015 and 2017, his research has demonstrated navigation of 3D limit-cycle walkers amidst static and moving obstacles, integrating dynamic walking with arm impedance control. Notable achievements include his 2023 work on reactive gait composition with provable stability guarantees, advancing safe locomotion in changing environments. Motahar’s research is vital for developing next-generation collaborative robots that walk and work alongside humans.