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About

Nancy Bertin is a pioneering researcher in robot audition, whose work has fundamentally redefined how robots interact with sound. Her primary research areas center on **audio-based robot control**, **aural servo**, and **binaural auditory perception**. Rather than relying on traditional sound source localization, Bertin has championed a sensor-based control framework that directly uses auditory cues—such as interaural level difference (ILD) and absolute sound energy—as inputs for closed-loop robotic motion control. Her major contribution is the development of **aural servo**, a paradigm that allows robots to position themselves relative to sound sources without explicit localization, effectively controlling degrees of freedom in range and orientation using only two microphones. This innovative approach, detailed in her most-cited work (2016, 12 citations), eliminates the need for complex head-related transfer functions (HRTFs), making auditory control more accessible for humanoid and mobile robots. Bertin’s research has garnered over 44 citations across her key publications, demonstrating growing influence in the field. Her 2018 paper on exploiting ILD distance information (6 citations) marks a significant step toward practical, binaural motion control. By bridging audition and sensor-based control, Bertin has opened new pathways for robots to navigate and interact with their environment through sound alone.