Connor A. Watkins

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About

Connor A. Watkins is a researcher specializing in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and LiDAR technology, with a particular focus on developing compact, low-cost scanning solutions for autonomous vehicles and robotics. His work centers on electrothermal MEMS mirrors — miniaturized optical devices capable of precise, multi-axis laser beam steering — and their application in three-dimensional sensing systems. Among his most notable contributions, Watkins has pioneered the development of omnidirectional LiDAR scanners using two-axis tripod electrothermal MEMS mirrors operating in non-resonant modes, enabling full 360° scanning in remarkably compact form factors. His 2019 paper on this technology has garnered 17 citations, reflecting its significance to the autonomous systems community. Complementing this, his work on large-aperture 2×2.5 mm MEMS mirror designs addresses critical challenges in achieving long-range detection and high-resolution imaging, earning an additional 11 citations. Watkins' research directly tackles real-world engineering barriers — cost, size, and performance — that limit the widespread adoption of LiDAR in consumer and industrial robotics. His contributions represent meaningful advances toward making reliable 3D environmental sensing accessible and scalable across emerging autonomous technologies.