Thomas L. Harman
Papers
8
Total Citations
64
H-Index
5
About
Thomas L. Harman is a robotics and autonomous systems researcher whose work spans swarm robotics, manipulator kinematics, and advanced motor control. His most recognized contribution, "Swarmathon: A Swarm Robotics Experiment For Future Space Exploration" (2019, 21 citations), explores how coordinated swarms of autonomous robots could support future Mars missions, blending cutting-edge computer science with space exploration ambitions. Harman has made substantial contributions to solving the inverse kinematics problem in serial robot manipulators, applying Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) as a powerful alternative to traditional analytical methods — work reflected in two closely related papers from 2022 and 2023 that together have garnered nearly 20 citations. His investigation into kinematic redundancy resolution for the Baxter research robot further demonstrates his focus on practical, real-world robotic systems. Beyond research, Harman has shaped robotics education through his co-authored books on the Robot Operating System (ROS), helping students and practitioners bring physical robots to life. Earlier work on piezoelectric ultrasonic motors highlights a career-long interest in novel actuator technologies suited for medical and space applications. Across these contributions, Harman exemplifies a researcher who bridges theoretical rigor with hands-on engineering impact.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Swarmathon: A Swarm Robotics Experiment For Future Space Exploration21 citations · 2019
- 2
- 3
- 4Kinematic Redundancy Resolution for Baxter Robot8 citations · 2021
- 5
- 6Dynamic Response Modeling of Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Motors4 citations · 2005
- 7
- 8Model-Based Torque Control of Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Motors2 citations · 2006