Neha Sunil

IIT@MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Papers

Total Citations

239

H-Index

About

Neha Sunil is a leading researcher in robotic manipulation, specializing in the complex, high-dimensional world of deformable objects. Her work tackles the fundamental challenge of enabling robots to handle cables and cloth—materials that are notoriously difficult to control due to their dynamic, self-occluding, and unpredictable nature. Sunil’s major contribution lies in integrating tactile and visual perception to achieve reactive, real-time control. Her seminal paper, "Cable manipulation with a tactile-reactive gripper" (2021), has garnered 225 citations, demonstrating its profound impact. This work moves beyond slow, conservative strategies by equipping grippers with tactile sensing to dynamically respond to the cable’s state, eliminating the need for mechanical fixtures. She has further advanced the field with her research on cloth manipulation, introducing a system that uses visuotactile affordances to unfold crumpled fabric by grasping and sliding on edges—a task previously requiring direct visibility of key features. Sunil’s innovative approach to merging perception with local control is reshaping how robots interact with everyday flexible objects, paving the way for more autonomous and dexterous systems in manufacturing, domestic service, and beyond.