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About

Jay Davey is a leading researcher in modular and self-reconfigurable robotics, with a focus on designing systems that can autonomously change shape and assemble into functional structures. His most influential contribution is the SMORES system (Self-assembling MOdular Robot for Extreme Shape-shifting), introduced in a 2012 paper with 175 citations, which enables modules to reconfigure across all three classes of reconfiguration—lattice, chain, and mobile. Davey also pioneered the use of autonomous robotic boats for self-assembly of large maritime platforms, demonstrated in two highly cited papers (93 and 56 citations) where teams of identical boats dock into floating structures with controllable stiffness. His work on connection mechanisms is equally notable: the EP-Face connector (59 citations) uses electro-permanent magnets for fast, high-strength, and power-efficient docking, while the ModLock system (18 citations) offers a manual connector that withstands 2.2 kN tensile load. These innovations advance the practicality of modular robots for real-world applications, from search-and-rescue to adaptive infrastructure. Davey’s research bridges hardware design and algorithmic control, making him a key figure in enabling scalable, shape-shifting robotic systems.