Richard S. Stansbury

About

Richard S. Stansbury is a robotics and autonomous systems researcher whose work spans mobile robotics for extreme environments, unmanned aerial systems, and engineering education. He is perhaps best known for his pioneering development of MARVIN II, a mobile robot engineered to withstand the brutal conditions of Greenland and Antarctica while autonomously collecting radar measurements of polar ice sheets. His foundational 2004 paper on polar robotic design has garnered 23 citations, with subsequent work on mobile robots in harsh environments further cementing his expertise in field robotics and autonomous data collection in scientifically critical but human-hostile settings. Beyond field robotics, Stansbury has contributed to robot decision-making frameworks, unmanned robotic systems for search and rescue, and collaborative obstacle avoidance for small UAS in indoor environments. His breadth reflects a consistent focus on deploying autonomous systems where human presence is impractical or dangerous. Affiliated with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, he has also demonstrated a strong commitment to engineering education, integrating robotics into artificial intelligence coursework and inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals through summer robotics camps. His career exemplifies the rare combination of rigorous field engineering and dedicated mentorship that shapes both technology and talent.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Design, fabrication, and evaluation of a mobile robot for polar environments

   23 citations · 2004
2. 2
   Mobile Robots for Polar Remote Sensing

   17 citations · 2008
3. 3
   Mobile Robots for Harsh Environments: Lessons Learned from Field Experiments

   10 citations · 2006
4. 4
   Inspiring Interest in STEM Through Summer Robotics Camp

   7 citations · 2020
5. 5
   A robot decision making framework using constraint programming

   6 citations · 2011
6. 6
   Simulation and Testbeds of Autonomous Robots in Harsh Environments

   3 citations · 2007
7. 7
   Immersive audio-visual system for an Unmanned Robotic Vehicle in a Senior Design Project

   3 citations · 2012
8. 8
   Enhancing student learning in artificial intelligence using robotics

   2 citations · 2010
9. 9
   Towards Collaborative Obstacle Avoidance using Small UAS in Indoor Environments

   2 citations · 2020

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links