James Clinton

James is a rising senior engineering student at Harvey Mudd College interested in mechanism design, particularly in how humans can use robotic mechanisms to learn more about the world, and how the field of mechanism design intersects with other fields like sensing and controls. He wants to explore how humans can use clever mechanism design (e.g. designing mechanisms to be easier to control or using passive mechanisms) to eliminate the need for control altogether, reducing the requirements of software. He’s also interested in compliant mechanisms, bio-inspired robotics, and microrobotics. At Harvey Mudd, he works on physically modeling the tradeoffs between motor-driven and spring-driven systems by designing and testing a robotic mechanism. In addition, he is working on a transformable wheel that allows for both wheeled and legged locomotion. This summer, he is working with Dr. Zeynep Temel in the Zoom Lab on design of the PuzzleBots—modular robots that are able to collaboratively cross gaps and navigate obstacles. He’s deeply grateful to the RISS program for providing the opportunity to grow and develop as a researcher.