Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

William Lincoln is a pioneering researcher in planetary surface robotics and space mission optimization, with a career focused on advancing human-robot collaboration for lunar and asteroid exploration. His most influential contribution is the development of the ROAMS physics-based simulator (76 citations), a foundational tool that models rover subsystems—from mechanical and electrical components to sensors—enabling realistic testing of planetary surface vehicles before deployment. Lincoln’s work extends to asteroid deflection, where he led a comparative analysis of five mitigation approaches—Kinetic Impactor, Ion Beam Deflection, Gravity Tractor, Enhanced Gravity Tractor, and Laser Ablation—providing critical data to inform NASA’s technology selection. He also pioneered systematic methodologies for evaluating robotic technologies’ impact on mission productivity, notably through the Strategic Assessment of Risk and Technology (START) framework. His studies on pressurized versus unpressurized rovers for human-robot lunar exploration, alongside mission activity planning tools, have shaped how astronauts and robots collaborate on the Moon. With a portfolio spanning simulation, risk assessment, and mission optimization, Lincoln’s work directly supports NASA’s goals for sustainable lunar presence and planetary defense, making him a key figure in space robotics and exploration strategy.