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About

Ilian A. Bonev is a prominent robotics researcher whose work has fundamentally advanced the fields of robot calibration, kinematic accuracy, and precision control of both serial and parallel robotic systems. Based at École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) in Montreal, Bonev has built an internationally recognized research program centered on improving the absolute accuracy of industrial robots through innovative metrology-based calibration techniques. His most influential contributions involve using sophisticated measurement instruments — including laser trackers, telescoping ballbars, and photogrammetry systems — to dramatically improve robot positioning accuracy. His 2012 paper on absolute calibration of an ABB IRB 1600 robot using a laser tracker has garnered over 576 citations, establishing itself as a landmark reference in the field. Bonev also challenged a widely held assumption in robotics by rigorously investigating whether parallel robots are inherently more accurate than serial robots, a provocative and frequently cited 2007 study with over 130 citations. Beyond static calibration, his research extends into dynamic path tracking and real-time control of parallel robots, including minimum-time trajectory optimization for pick-and-place applications. With multiple papers exceeding 100 citations, Bonev's contributions have meaningfully shaped how researchers and engineers approach robot accuracy, measurement, and performance assessment in industrial settings.