Joseph DelPreto
I'm currently a Postdoc in the Distributed Robotics Lab, working on making human-robot interaction more natural and effective. If we can communicate with robots in ways that are more similar to how we communicate with other people, enabling robots to adapt to us rather than the other way around, then robots could become more integrated into our daily lives and assist us more effectively. Some of my recent projects include using muscle and motion signals to remotely control robots, using muscle signals to physically collaborate with robots, helping robots learn using demonstrations, and using brain signals to supervise robots.
Other research projects that I've worked on range from underwater fish to custom robots on demand. They include creating a communication system for our soft robotic fish (SoFi), creating the electronics and programming for a distributed robotic garden that can serve as an educational platform, helping develop a system that aims to democratize robot fabrication for education or rapid prototyping, and developing electronics and user interfaces for a Wi-Fi based indoor localization system.
When I'm not working on research, I also enjoy tinkering and pursuing personal projects. Some of my favorites include home automation and musical light shows, packing over-the-top automated Christmas decorations into my dorm rooms, and a proof-of-concept amphibious bike that was a spring break project one year.
I've also had the chance to be part of the fantastic graduate community in my dorm, Sidney Pacific, where I've served in a variety of capacities and also developed a comprehensive financial system for budgeting and purchasing.
Hobbies include photography, learning piano/sax, archery, foosball, Seinfeld, exercising, and trying out new sports.
MIT/CSAIL News articles:
- Muscle signals can pilot a robot
- This robot helps you lift objects - by looking at your biceps
- How to control robots with brainwaves and hand gestures
- Brain-controlled robots
- Soft robotic fish swims alongside real ones in coral reefs
- Printable robot database earns Best Paper honors at IROS
- CSAIL team earns top honors for printable bots at IEEE competition
- Can an LED-filled “robot garden” make coding more accessible?
Videos:
- Controlling drones and other robots with gestures (conference presentation here)
- Using muscle signals to lift objects with robots
- Helping robots learn using demonstrations (conference presentation here)
- Supervising robots with muscle and brain signals
- Brain-controlled robots (conference version here)
- Soft robotic fish (SoFi) swims in the ocean
- Robotic garden
- Printable robots on demand
- Home automation and musical Christmas lights
- Amphibious bike prototype
Related Links
Last updated Sep 18 '24