Kevin Conrad

Papers

Total Citations

182

H-Index

About

Kevin Conrad is a leading authority in industrial robotics, with a career dedicated to the foundational challenges of robotic precision and calibration. His research focuses on the critical distinction between accuracy and repeatability in articulated robot arms, and the development of robust calibration methodologies to bridge that gap. Conrad’s seminal 2002 paper, "On the Accuracy, Repeatability, and Degree of Influence of Kinematics Parameters for Industrial Robots" (110 citations), is a cornerstone in the field. In this work, he systematically identified the factors affecting robot performance and constructed a comprehensive error tree, using Denavit-Hartenberg parameters to analyze how kinematic inaccuracies propagate. This was built upon his earlier foundational work, "Robotic Calibration Issues: Accuracy, Repeatability and Calibration" (72 citations), where he laid the groundwork for a contact calibration methodology using a touch probe. By framing this solution within the broader context of serial link manipulator metrology, Conrad provided a practical, kinematically-grounded approach to enhancing real-world robot performance. His contributions remain essential reading for any engineer or researcher seeking to understand and improve the precision of industrial robotic systems.