Karen Donaldson

National Microelectronics Institute, University of Edinburgh

Papers

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About

Dr. Karen Donaldson is a pioneering roboticist whose work centers on the design and deployment of modular robotic systems for the world’s most demanding environments. Her primary research areas include extreme environment robotics, human-robot co-design, and rapid prototyping for care applications. Dr. Donaldson’s major contribution is the development of modular robotic architectures that can be rapidly reconfigured to perform sophisticated tasks in hazardous settings—from nuclear decommissioning and deep-sea exploration to space missions. Her most-cited work, “Modular Robots for Enabling Operations in Unstructured Extreme Environments” (2022, 39 citations), provides a foundational framework for deploying robots in offshore oil and gas, nuclear facilities, and subsea applications, demonstrating how modularity can overcome the unpredictability of these hostile domains. More recently, her 2025 paper on a “Co-design methodology for rapid prototyping of modular robots in care settings” (5 citations) introduces a systematic, user-centered approach that bridges the gap between technical development and real-world caregiver needs. This work is notable for its structured process that ensures end-user requirements are directly embedded into robotic design, a critical step for successful adoption in sensitive environments. Dr. Donaldson’s research is shaping the future of resilient, adaptable robotics for both extreme industrial and compassionate care contexts.