Christopher G. Atkeson
Encyclopedia
Christopher Granger Atkeson (born 1959) is an American
roboticist
and a Professor
at the Robotics Institute
and Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University
. Atkeson is known for his work in humanoid robot
s and machine learning
, most notably on locally weighted learning.
in 1981 with an A.B. in Biochemistry. He received his S.M. degree in Applied Mathematics
in the same year, also from Harvard. He then attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
and received his PhD
in Brain and Cognitive Science from the in 1986, advised by Emilio Bizzi.
from 1994 to 2000.
and Robotics
at CMU and the Director of Disney Research, Pittsburgh.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
roboticist
Roboticist
A roboticist designs, builds, programs, and experiments with robots. Since robotics is a highly interdisciplinary field, roboticists often have backgrounds in a number of disciplines including computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer engineering...
and a Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
at the Robotics Institute
Robotics Institute
The Robotics Institute is a division of the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It is considered to be one of the leading centers of robotics research in the world....
and Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
. Atkeson is known for his work in humanoid robot
Humanoid robot
A humanoid robot or an anthropomorphic robot is a robot with its overall appearance, based on that of the human body, allowing interaction with made-for-human tools or environments. In general humanoid robots have a torso with a head, two arms and two legs, although some forms of humanoid robots...
s and machine learning
Machine learning
Machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence, is a scientific discipline concerned with the design and development of algorithms that allow computers to evolve behaviors based on empirical data, such as from sensor data or databases...
, most notably on locally weighted learning.
Early life and education
Atkeson graduated summa cum laude from Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1981 with an A.B. in Biochemistry. He received his S.M. degree in Applied Mathematics
Applied mathematics
Applied mathematics is a branch of mathematics that concerns itself with mathematical methods that are typically used in science, engineering, business, and industry. Thus, "applied mathematics" is a mathematical science with specialized knowledge...
in the same year, also from Harvard. He then attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
and received his PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in Brain and Cognitive Science from the in 1986, advised by Emilio Bizzi.
Career
Before joining the faculty at CMU in 2000, he was an Assistant, then Associate Professor in the department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT from 1986-1993, an Associate Professor at the College of Computing, Georgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
from 1994 to 2000.
Honors and awards
- National Science Foundation Engineering Initiation Award, 1987-1988.
- National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award, 1988-1993.
- W. M. Keck Foundation Assistant Professorship in Biomedical Engineering, 1988-1990.
- Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow, 1989-1991.
- W. M. Keck Foundation Associate Professorship in Biomedical Engineering, 1990-1991.
- Teaching Award from the MIT Graduate Student Council, 1990.
- Edenfield Faculty Fellowship Award, 1995.
- Elected by faculty to College of Computing Dean’s Advisory Committee, 1995–1996, 1996–1997.
- Finalist, Best Paper Award, ICRA 2000.
Personal life
Atkeson is married to Jessica Hodgins, Professor of Computer ScienceComputer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
and Robotics
Robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots...
at CMU and the Director of Disney Research, Pittsburgh.