Anuradha Ranasinghe

About

Anuradha Ranasinghe is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of haptics, robotics, and sensor technology, whose work fundamentally advances how machines perceive and interact with the physical world. Her primary research areas encompass visuotactile sensing, haptic guidance systems, and human-robot interaction under extreme environmental constraints. Ranasinghe’s most impactful contribution is her comprehensive review of GelSight-based visuotactile sensors (167 citations), which established a foundational framework for this rapidly evolving field. She further innovated with the development of HaptiTemp, a next-generation thermosensitive visuotactile sensor capable of detecting temperature changes at an unprecedented rate of 30°C per second—a breakthrough that enables robots to sense thermal properties alongside touch and vision. Her work on haptic guidance using “hard reins” has profound implications for disaster response, particularly for firefighters operating in zero-visibility environments. By studying human-human interaction patterns and translating them into robotic control systems, Ranasinghe has developed intelligent guidance controllers that enhance trust and confidence between humans and robots during critical operations. Her research on nonlinear autonomous control of inverted pendulum robots further demonstrates her versatility in addressing complex dynamical systems. Through her innovative sensor designs and human-centered robotic systems, Ranasinghe continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in haptic technology and human-robot collaboration.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Visuotactile Sensors With Emphasis on GelSight Sensor: A Review

   167 citations · 2020
2. 2
   HaptiTemp: A Next-Generation Thermosensitive GelSight-Like Visuotactile Sensor

   27 citations · 2021
3. 3
   Salient Feature of Haptic-Based Guidance of People in Low Visibility Environments Using Hard Reins

   23 citations · 2015
4. 4
   Nonlinear Autonomous Control of a Two-Wheeled Inverted Pendulum Mobile Robot Based on Sliding Mode

   16 citations · 2015
5. 5
   Identification of Haptic Based Guiding Using Hard Reins

   5 citations · 2015
6. 6
   Enhancing trust and confidence in human robot interaction

   4 citations · 2013
7. 7
   Pilot Study: A Visuotactile Haptic Primary Colors Sensor

   3 citations · 2021
8. 8
   A two party haptic guidance controller via a hard rein

   3 citations · 2013
9. 9
   An Optimal State Dependent Haptic Guidance Controller via a Hard Rein

   2 citations · 2013

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links