Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Adam Leeper’s research lies at the intersection of assistive robotics, human-in-the-loop manipulation, and haptic feedback, with a focus on empowering people with severe motor impairments. His most influential work, “Strategies for human-in-the-loop robotic grasping” (168 citations), pioneered systems that blend human cognitive skills with autonomous robotic behaviors for remote grasp execution. Leeper’s “Robots for humanity: using assistive robotics to empower people with disabilities” (159 citations) demonstrated how assistive mobile manipulators (AMMs) could enable individuals to perform life-changing tasks—from scratching an itch to socializing with family. He also led the development of a mobile manipulation platform operated by a motor-impaired user via head-tracker and single-button mouse, successfully performing unscripted tasks in a real home. Beyond assistive applications, Leeper contributed to haptic rendering of point clouds for constraint-based feedback and collision-free teleoperation in cluttered environments. His work on autonomous coffee runs with a mobile manipulator showcased robust navigation through unmodified campus spaces. With over 500 total citations, Leeper’s user-centered design philosophy and technical innovations have advanced the field of assistive mobile manipulation, bringing autonomous robots closer to serving as everyday helpers for people with disabilities.