In general, Brandon's research interests span a wide range of topics connected to robotics, from tensegrity structures and bioinspired robot design to interactive architecture and morphological computation. Starting early in his academic career, Brandon has always strived to work on solving problems that will enable the widespread use of robots in entertainment, education, and exploration.
Brandon's PhD research (ECE '19) focused on developing methods and tools to enable dynamic balance and gait in robotic bipeds. This included the development of metrics to quantify how well a given mechanism can balance, balance points to determine if and where a robot needs to step to avoid falling, and how to use these measures in the generation of dynamic balance and gait for bipeds. This research was co-supervised by Professors Dana Kulić and Rob Gorbet.
His MASc research (ECE '11) focused on two areas: developing a framework for the interconnection of cellular automata, and the design of embedded control systems for large-scale interactive art installations. These culminated in the design of an interactive installation where a set of interconnected cellular automata could evolve their rules based on visitors' estimated interest. This research was part of a collaboration with Professor Philip Beesley and his world-renowned studio.
At the University of Waterloo, Brandon is a Sessional Instructor for SYDE and MME, an Adjunct Assistant Professor in ECE, and the Manager of the Waterloo RoboHub.
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