Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Laleh Makarem is a robotics engineer whose work sits at the intersection of precision instrumentation and large-scale astronomical surveys. Her primary research focuses on developing collision avoidance and motion planning algorithms for densely packed fiber positioner robots—critical components in next-generation spectrographs like the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). Makarem’s most cited work, “Collision avoidance in next-generation fiber positioner robotic systems” (31 citations), addresses the challenge of moving thousands of tiny, pen-sized robots in parallel across a focal plane without damaging them. She further advanced this field by designing an 8-mm diameter fiber robot positioner (19 citations) and developing micro DC-brushless motor drivers for precise position control. Beyond astronomy, Makarem has contributed to autonomous vehicle coordination, modeling collision-free intersection crossings for mobile robots using decentralized navigation functions. Her interdisciplinary approach—bridging robotics, control theory, and astrophysical instrumentation—has been instrumental in enabling massive spectroscopic surveys that probe dark energy and the formation of the Milky Way. With a career marked by practical innovation in micro-robotics and multi-agent coordination, Makarem’s work continues to shape how we deploy autonomous systems in both terrestrial and astronomical settings.