Sean Quinlan

Robotics Research (United States), Stanford University

Papers

Total Citations

987

H-Index

About

Sean Quinlan is a leading figure in robotics, renowned for bridging the critical gap between global path planning and real-time sensor-based control. His seminal 2002 paper, "Elastic bands: connecting path planning and control," with nearly 800 citations, introduced the concept of elastic bands—deformable, collision-free paths that dynamically adapt to sensor feedback. This framework, first outlined in his 1995 work, allows robots to modify paths in real-time without full replanning, enabling robust navigation in dynamic environments. Quinlan’s contributions have had a profound impact on autonomous systems, providing a physically intuitive model that balances planning efficiency with reactive control. His work is foundational for researchers in mobile robotics, manipulation, and autonomous vehicles, offering a practical solution to the long-standing challenge of integrating high-level planning with low-level execution. By demonstrating how elastic bands can serve as a unifying framework, Quinlan has shaped modern approaches to real-time motion execution, influencing both academic research and industrial applications.