Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Knut R. Fossum is a researcher dedicated to advancing human-robot collaboration, particularly for extreme environments like space and planetary exploration. His work centers on the critical intersection of human factors, resilience, and complex sociotechnical systems. A key contribution is his work on the Moonwalk project, where he developed simulation scenarios and evaluation methods for human-robot teams in lunar-analog environments, as detailed in his most-cited paper (9 citations). Fossum critically examines project management challenges, arguing that a lack of attention to human factors can undermine safety in human-robot interaction, a perspective he explores in a notable 2018 case study (4 citations). He has also investigated the feasibility of serpentine robots for robust planetary exploration, as seen in the SERPEX report. By approaching human-robot interaction through the lens of resilience, Fossum’s research provides essential insights for designing safer, more effective collaborative systems for the most demanding missions.