Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Thomas Bewley is a robotics researcher whose work centers on novel robot locomotion, tensegrity-based mechanical design, and accessible robotics platforms for education and research. He is perhaps best known for developing the DuCTT (Duct Climbing Tetrahedral Tensegrity) robot, a pioneering platform that demonstrated how tensegrity structures — systems of interconnected rigid and flexible members — could enable robots to navigate complex duct environments. The original DuCTT paper has earned 94 citations, with its second-generation successor adding 43 more, underscoring sustained community interest in this design paradigm. Beyond duct-climbing systems, Bewley has made notable contributions to wire-traversing robots through SkySweeper (30 citations), compliant robotic joints inspired by tensegrity principles (28 citations), and innovative stair-climbing solutions for mobile robots in human environments. His research philosophy extends to democratizing robotics: tools like the open-source RAPID dynamometer and the BeagleRover educational platform reflect a commitment to lowering barriers for students and early-career researchers. Across a diverse portfolio spanning dynamic balancing, hopping locomotion, and underactuated systems, Bewley consistently bridges elegant mechanical insight with practical robotic capability, making his work a valuable reference for anyone exploring unconventional approaches to robot design and mobility.