Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Evan Davies is a roboticist specializing in bio-inspired locomotion and soft robotics, with a focus on brachiating robots that mimic the swinging motion of gibbons to traverse flexible cables and wire networks. His major contributions include the development of dynamic models and control strategies for underactuated two-link brachiating robots, enabling them to navigate flexible cables with precision. Davies introduced an optimal feedback control design using a parameterized time-varying linear quadratic regulator (LQR) for robust trajectory tracking, as detailed in his highly cited works (22 and 21 citations). He also led the design, prototyping, and testing of "Tarzan," a novel wire-borne brachiating robot capable of moving along single wires and between parallel wires, demonstrating two-dimensional traversal of elevated networks (19 citations). Additionally, Davies has advanced soft robotics by developing an extended Kalman filter (EKF) with unknown input optimization to estimate curvature and contact forces in soft fingers, addressing key sensing challenges (9 citations). His work bridges theoretical modeling and practical implementation, offering innovative solutions for inspection, search-and-rescue, and exploration in constrained environments.