Dr. Robert L. Williams II is professor of mechanical engineering at Ohio University, focusing on robotics and haptics research and education. Previously he worked for 5 years at NASA Langley Research Center as space roboticist. He earned the Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech. Dr. Williams has published 29 journal articles and over 60 conference papers in dynamics, control, robotics, and haptics. He is a reviewer for many journals including ASME and IEEE journals. He has been PI on externally-funded projects totaling over $2.5M. During his time at Ohio University, he has worked two summers each at NASA Kennedy Space Center and Wright-Patterson AFB. During his 2002-2003 sabbatical he worked for the NIST Intelligent Systems Division in Gaithersburg MD. Dr. Williams' research interests include parallel robots, cable-suspended robots, mobile robots, and haptics for education and training. Dr. Williams is the ASME advisor for the Ohio University student chapter, he has taught summer robotics programs to middle school students, and he is the MathCounts coach for Athens (OH) Middle School. He serves as lead guitarist in a praise band for a local church.
Research Activities
Robotics, controls, mechatronics, haptics
