Chris May

About

Chris May is a leading figure in robotic actuation and anthropomorphic hand design, whose work has fundamentally advanced the capabilities of compact, tendon-driven systems. His primary research areas include twisted string actuation, mechatronic design, and synergy-based control for human-like grasping. May’s most significant contribution is the development of the twisted string actuation system, a novel concept that enables powerful, lightweight, and simple tendon-based drives using small, high-speed DC motors. This innovation, detailed in his highly cited 2012 paper (183 citations) and foundational 2010 work (107 citations), allows for the implementation of compact robotic devices with exceptional force-to-weight ratios. He further demonstrated the practical application of this technology in the DEXMART Hand (178 citations), an anthropomorphic robotic hand that integrates synergy-based control for simplified, human-like grasping. By addressing key challenges in robotic hand design—such as complexity, weight, and control—May’s research has paved the way for next-generation prosthetics and dexterous manipulators, making him a pivotal contributor to the field of soft and bio-inspired robotics.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Modeling and Control of the Twisted String Actuation System

   183 citations · 2012
2. 2
   The DEXMART hand: Mechatronic design and experimental evaluation of synergy-based control for human-like grasping

   178 citations · 2014
3. 3
   The twisted string actuation system: Modeling and control

   107 citations · 2010
4. 4
   Innovative Technologies for the Next Generation of Robotic Hands

   31 citations · 2012

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links