Jessica McWilliams

University of Pennsylvania, University of Maryland, College Park

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Jessica McWilliams is a robotics researcher whose work bridges the gap between mechanical design and real-world infrastructure inspection. Her key research areas include compliant mechanisms, robotic grasping, and field-deployable inspection robots. McWilliams made a significant contribution with her 2021 paper on the "Push-On Push-Off" gripper, a compliant bistable mechanism that integrates mechanical sensing and actuation without relying on complex electronics. This innovation simplifies robust grasping, a longstanding challenge in robotics, and has garnered 17 citations for its elegant, low-cost approach. Earlier, she developed the BRIDGE bot (2017), a compact 158-gram, magnetic-wheeled robot designed to traverse and inspect steel bridges. This 15-cited work demonstrates her ability to create practical, lightweight solutions for hazardous environments, reducing the need for human inspectors. McWilliams’ achievements highlight her talent for merging theoretical mechanics with applied engineering, producing systems that are both intelligent and mechanically simple. Her research continues to inspire students and engineers interested in minimalist, reliable robotic designs for critical tasks.