Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Omair Khan is a robotics engineer and educator whose work bridges the gap between cutting-edge space exploration and accessible, hands-on learning. He is best known for his leading role in the development of the **Robotics Instrument Deployment System (IDS)** for NASA’s InSight Mars Lander—a highly complex robotic arm that successfully placed scientific instruments on the Martian surface. This landmark contribution, detailed in his most-cited paper (62 citations), demonstrates his expertise in designing and operating robotic systems for extreme environments. Khan is equally passionate about democratizing robotics education. In his influential work *Just Add Wheels* (2008), he pioneered a low-cost, laptop-based platform that leverages commodity hardware to teach robotics and AI, making the field accessible to K–12 and undergraduate students without specialized equipment. By combining high-stakes space robotics with inclusive educational design, Khan has made a lasting impact on both the practice and pedagogy of robotics, inspiring the next generation of engineers to build for the cosmos—and for the classroom.