Papers
7
Total Citations
146
H-Index
6
About
Michael Brunner’s research focuses on autonomous mobile robotics, particularly the motion planning and control of reconfigurable robots operating in unstructured, hazardous environments. His major contributions lie in developing algorithms that enable tracked robots with adjustable chassis to autonomously traverse rough terrain—such as rubble, boulders, stairs, and steps—while maintaining stability and safety. Brunner pioneered a hierarchical, sampling-based motion planning approach that optimizes robot-terrain interaction, addressing the highly nonlinear challenges of outdoor disaster zones and urban obstacles. His work on iterative contact point estimation for static stability assessment has been critical for ensuring robot safety during complex maneuvers. With over 146 total citations across his most-cited papers, his 2013 study on hierarchical rough terrain motion planning (67 citations) stands as a foundational reference in the field. Brunner’s research directly supports search and rescue missions, enabling robots to explore areas too dangerous for humans. His notable achievements include developing metrics for path planning on rough terrain and advancing coordinated navigation for multi-robot systems, making him a key figure in the evolution of resilient, autonomous ground vehicles for emergency response.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 6Spatially constrained coordinated navigation for a multi-robot system6 citations · 2012
- 7Rough Terrain Motion Planning for Actuated, Tracked Robots5 citations · 2014