University of North Carolina at Charlotte

About

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has established itself as a dynamic research institution with particular strengths in robotics, artificial intelligence, human-robot interaction, and intelligent systems. Anchored by active research centers focused on autonomous systems and computational intelligence, UNC Charlotte's robotics and AI programs have produced foundational contributions that resonate across academia and industry worldwide. The institution has made notable strides in motion planning, particularly through pioneering work on Real-Time Adaptive Motion Planning (RAMP), which addresses the complex challenge of guiding high-degree-of-freedom and redundant robots through unpredictable, obstacle-rich environments. Complementing this, UNC Charlotte researchers have advanced compliant motion planning and contact state analysis, enabling robots to interact more deftly with their physical surroundings. Their work on grasping novel objects through adaptive knowledge bases further demonstrates a commitment to making robots practically capable in unstructured settings. Beyond mechanical intelligence, the institution has distinguished itself in generative AI and computer vision, including multi-view image synthesis via CR-GAN, as well as in human-robot collaboration—a survey on the topic has garnered substantial citation impact, reflecting the field's recognition of UNC Charlotte's synthetic, accessible scholarship. Research extending into robot-assisted education for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and companion robotics for elderly care illustrates the institution's commitment to socially meaningful applications of technology. UNC Charlotte also contributes critically to the broader research community through comprehensive surveys of robotics simulators, mobile robot localization, and AI in K-12 education, equipping researchers and educators with essential reference frameworks. With a strong culture of undergraduate research inclusion and an expanding portfolio of interdisciplinary projects, UNC Charlotte offers prospective students and collaborators a vibrant, inclusive environment where robotics and AI research translates directly into real-world human benefit.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Analysis of Intracorporeal Compared with Extracorporeal Urinary Diversion After Robot-assisted Radical Cystectomy: Results from the International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium

   307 citations · 2013
2. 2
   The use of data envelopment analysis for technology selection

   223 citations · 1995
3. 3
   Real-Time Adaptive Motion Planning (RAMP) of Mobile Manipulators in Dynamic Environments With Unforeseen Changes

   144 citations · 2008
4. 4
   CR-GAN: Learning Complete Representations for Multi-view Generation

   136 citations · 2018
5. 5
   Human-robot collaboration: A survey

   112 citations · 2015
6. 6
   Automatic Generation of High-Level Contact State Space

   111 citations · 2001
7. 7
   Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence in K-12 education (2017–2022)

   97 citations · 2023
8. 8
   Planning Motions Compliant to Complex Contact States

   94 citations · 2001
9. 9
   Small-Group Technology-Assisted Instruction: Virtual Teacher and Robot Peer for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

   70 citations · 2018
10. 10
    Nanoparticle Assembly: From Self‐Organization to Controlled Micropatterning for Enhanced Functionalities

    70 citations · 2023

Faculty & Researchers

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