Expertise

Topics:  Multisensor Data Fusion, Robotics in Hazerdous Application, Industrial Robotics, Field & Service Robotics, Outdoor Mobile Robots, Robotic Exploration, Robotics, Computer Software, Prototyping, Robotics for Scientific Discovery, Space Robots and Systems

Industries: Computer Hardware, Aerospace, Education/Learning

Dr. William "Red" Whittaker's research interests centers on mobile robots in unpredictable environments, such as natural terrain and outdoor worksites, including computer architectures to control mobile robots, modeling and planning for non-repetitive tasks, complex problems of objective sensing in random or dynamic environments, and integrations of complete field robot systems.

His work encompasses core research, prototyping, and experimentation with the view that all are important to the evolution of field robots. Increasingly, his research interests are manifested through the work of the Field Robotics Center (FRC), which he directs. He has particular agenda in integrating component technologies into complete systems that prove themselves in both research and real world contexts. At FRC, they developed the remote work systems that explored and remediated the basement of the crippled Three Mile Island reactor containment basement. The Remote Reconnaissance Vehicle performed recovery tasks such as inspection, radiological mapping, material sampling, sludge transport and wall cleaning in a highly radioactive environment. Its successor, the Remote Work Vehicle (RWV), a telerobot of unprecedented capability and nuclear qualification, was developed for a broad agenda of clean-up operations. The RWV can wash contaminated surfaces, remove sediments, demolish radiation sources, apply surface treatments, and package and transport materials.

Dr. Whittaker is the Fredkin Professor of Robotics at the Robotics Institute and the Chief Scientist of the Robotics Engineering Consortium at Carnegie Mellon University. He is also the Chief Scientist of RedZone Robotics.

Media Experience

Why Pittsburgh is known for robotics, and where it’s going next  — Technical.ly
The hulking robot driving into Three Mile Island is legend among Pittsburgh economic boosters. This, they say, is the origin story of how Western Pennsylvania began its robotics specialty. The cleanup, led by celebrated roboticist William “Red” Whittaker, showcased Pittsburgh’s engineering prowess and cemented its reputation as a hub for cutting-edge robotics technology​.

Robotics pioneer Red Whittaker wants to put a robot on the moon, and land Amazon in his backyard  — Geek Wire
Asked if he will eventually land a robot on the moon, William “Red” Whittaker doesn’t hold back.“Oh, hell yes,” says the Carnegie Mellon University roboticist, showing the enthusiasm and determination that have fuelled his career, leading the development of robots that have changed the nature of what machines can accomplish...

Not NASA, this university's students will send the first American lunar rover to the Moon on May 4  — Interesting Engineering
"In space, what matters is what flies, and soon you'll see irrefutable proof that what Carnegie Mellon has accomplished in planetary exploration matters a great deal," said William "Red" Whittaker, the Founders University Research Professor in the Robotics Institute and a planetary robotics pioneer...

Students will send the first American rover to the moon, ahead of NASA  — ZME Science
“In space, what matters is what flies, and soon you’ll see irrefutable proof that what Carnegie Mellon has accomplished in planetary exploration matters a great deal,” said William “Red” Whittaker, the Founders University Research Professor at the Robotics Institute...

CMU finalizes plans to put rover on moon  — CBS Pittsburgh
"Carnegie Mellon Robotics has pioneered land, sea, air, underwater, underground, and now space is our next frontier," said CMU research professor William L. "Red" Whittaker, the "godfather of extraterrestrial rovers..."

A new CMU exhibition tells the story of Pittsburgh’s robotics innovation  — Technical.ly
William “Red” Whittaker, a CMU professor who spearheaded innovation on autonomous vehicle development, was one of the first to suggest a systematic archival process for robotics at the school. His interest in doing so culminated in his founding of the university’s Field Robotics Center in 2018, which focused on transferring photographs and slides from the early 21st century into digital files...

Pittsburgh's Moonshot  — PittsburghInno
The story behind Astrobotic's plans to send its Peregrine Lunar Lander to the moon

The First U.S. Lunar Rover is Headed to the Moon (and Students Made It!)  — Popular Mechanics
We’ve never sent a rover to the Moon. We’ve sent what’s called a lunar roving vehicle, which astronauts drove around the surface. But never just a rover. Now, the first lunar rover is almost ready to launch. But it’s not being sent up by NASA. The whole project—from design to construction to eventual off-world mission—is being run by college students.