Papers
44
Total Citations
1,356
H-Index
19
About
Thomas Fuhlbrigge is a prominent robotics researcher whose work spans industrial automation, robot programming, and human-robot collaboration. His research has made substantial contributions to advancing the capabilities and accessibility of industrial robotic systems across manufacturing sectors. Fuhlbrigge's most influential work — "Extrinsic Dexterity: In-Hand Manipulation with External Forces" (2014, 279 citations) — broke new ground in robotic manipulation, demonstrating how external forces could be harnessed to achieve sophisticated object repositioning without complex multi-fingered hands. This insight has had lasting impact on robotic grasping research. His extensive work on spray painting automation, captured in two widely-cited reviews (2008, 2009), helped systematize CAD-based path planning methodologies that improve paint quality and reduce industrial waste. Beyond manipulation and painting, Fuhlbrigge tackled critical practical challenges: improving machining accuracy through deformation compensation, developing accessible robot programming paradigms for non-specialists, and pioneering robot calibration techniques that bring precision to standard industrial arms. His investigations into human-robot collaboration and brain-computer interfaces reflect a forward-looking vision for intuitive human-machine interaction in manufacturing environments. Collectively, his body of work — spanning over 700 citations — has meaningfully shaped how industrial robots are programmed, calibrated, and deployed alongside human workers.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Extrinsic dexterity: In-hand manipulation with external forces279 citations · 2014
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- 3Improving machining accuracy with robot deformation compensation78 citations · 2009
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- 5A review of CAD‐based robot path planning for spray painting66 citations · 2009
- 6Easy robot programming concepts: An industrial perspective56 citations · 2013
- 7Practical industrial robot zero offset calibration52 citations · 2008
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- 10High-precision assembly automation based on robot compliance44 citations · 2009