Daniel Koditschek

Daniel E. Koditschek is the Alfred Fitler Moore Professor of Electrical and Systems Engineering in the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science. He holds secondary appointments in the departments of Computer and Information Science and Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, directs the Kod*lab research group, and serves as Director of the Penn Engineering Research Collaboration Hub (PERCH). Koditschek's research focuses on robotics and the application of dynamical systems theory to the design, construction, and empirical testing of intelligent mechanisms, including machines that juggle, run, climb, and perform dexterous physical interactions. He has authored over 200 archival journal and refereed conference publications in leading venues such as the Transactions of the American Mathematical Society, Journal of Experimental Biology, and IEEE journals.

Koditschek received his B.S. cum laude in Engineering and Applied Science from Yale University in 1977 and his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Yale in 1983. His academic career began at Yale as Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering from 1983 to 1987 and Associate Professor from 1987 to 1993. He then joined the University of Michigan as Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 1993, advancing to full Professor in 1996 until 2004. In 2005, he became Professor and Chair of Electrical and Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, serving as Chair until 2012. Key publications include the co-edited book Robotics Research: The Ninth International Symposium (Springer-Verlag, 2000); 'Templates and Anchors: Neuromechanical Hypotheses of Legged Locomotion on Land' with R.J. Full (Journal of Experimental Biology, 1999); 'Exact Robot Navigation Using Artificial Potential Fields' with E. Rimon (IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation, 1992); and 'Analysis of a Simplified Hopping Robot' with M. Bühler (International Journal of Robotics Research, 1991). His honors include the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Pioneer Award (2016), US Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship (2016), Penn Heilmeier Award for Excellence in Research (2017), IEEE Fellowship (2003), NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award (1986), and Fellowships of the AAAS.

Professional Email: kod@seas.upenn.edu