Nathan Harding

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Nathan Harding is a leading figure in the field of field and service robotics, with a primary focus on the energetic autonomy of mobile robots. His major contributions center on the development of hybrid hydraulic-electric power units, a critical innovation for robots that require both substantial hydraulic power for locomotion and reliable electric power for onboard computers, sensors, and peripherals. Harding’s seminal 2005 paper, "Hybrid hydraulic-electric power unit for field and service robots," which has garnered 48 citations, established the foundational architecture for integrating internal combustion engines with dual power generation systems. He further refined this concept in his 2006 follow-up work, cited 31 times, addressing the specific challenges of power distribution and control. By solving the problem of how to simultaneously supply high-force hydraulic actuation and sensitive electronic systems from a single, portable source, Harding’s research has directly enabled more capable and untethered robots for demanding outdoor applications, such as agricultural, construction, and disaster-response platforms. His work remains a cornerstone reference for engineers designing energetically autonomous robotic systems.