Robert L. Williams II is professor and assistant chair of mechanical engineering at Ohio University, focusing on robotics, biomechanics and haptics research and education. Previously he worked for 5 years at NASA Langley Research Center as a space roboticist. He earned the Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech. Williams has published 47 refereed journal articles and 136 conference papers (mostly refereed) in dynamics, control, robotics, biomechanics and haptics. He is a reviewer for many international conferences and journals including for the ASME and IEEE. He has attracted externally-funded projects totaling over $4M. During his time at Ohio University, he has worked two summers each at NASA Kennedy Space Center and Wright-Patterson AFB. During his 2002-2003 sabbatical he worked for the NIST Intelligent Systems Division in Gaithersburg, MD. During his 2014 sabbatical he researched and taught in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez. Dr. Williams is the ASME advisor for the Ohio University student chapter, he has taught summer robotics programs to middle school students, was the MathCounts coach for Athens Middle School, and was the TEAMS JETS coach for Athens High School. He served as lead guitarist in a praise band for a local church.
Research Interests: Parallel robots, cable-suspended robots, mobile robots, and haptics for simulation, education and training.
All Degrees Earned:Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1988; M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1985; B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Ohio University, 1984
Active Research
- NASA JSC ARGOS Project
- Arecibo Reclamation Project
- Agricultural Cable-Suspended Robots
- Walking / Rolling Robots
- Portable Stewart Platform 6-dof Simulator
Courses Taught
- ME 3011 Mechanism Kinematics & Dynamics, Intro to Mechanical Vibrations (required)
- ME 3012 Systems Analysis & Control, Mechanical Vibrations (required)
- EE/ME 4290 / 5290 Robotic Manipulators (elective)
- ME 4670 / 5670 Biomechanics of Human Motion (elective)
Publications:
- R.L. Williams II, 2022, “Flying Robots Used as Haptic Interfaces”, International Journal of Engineering and Robot Technology, 8(2): 58-71.
- R.L. Williams II and H. Lu, 2022, “Portable Eight-Cable Robot Used in Large-Scale Outdoor Agriculture”, International Journal of Engineering and Robot Technology, 8(1): 42-57.
- D. Ferguson, J.K. Breakall, P.A. Berhardt, F.O. Fernandez, C. Brum, A. Santoni-Ruiz, R.B. Kerr, and R.L. Williams II, A Preliminary Plan to Quickly Restore Utility to the Arecibo 305m Telescope, Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation, May 2022.
- R.L. Williams II and D.A. Lawrence, 2007, Linear State-Space Control Systems, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., ISBN 978-0-471-73555-7.
- R.L. Williams II, J.N. Howell, and R.R. Conatser Jr., 2008, “Digital Human Modeling for Palpatory Medical Training with Haptic Feedback”, in Handbook of Digital Human Modeling for Applied Ergonomics and Human Factors Engineering, Chapter 48, ISBN 978-0-8058-5646.
- J. Wu, R.L. Williams II, and J.Y. Lew, 2006, “Velocity and Acceleration Cones for Kinematic and Dynamic Constraints on Omni-Directional Mobile Robots”, ASME Transactions on Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, 128(4): 788-799.
- R.L. Williams II, J.S. Albus, and R.V. Bostelman, 2004, “3D Cable-Based Cartesian Metrology System”, Journal of Robotic Systems, 21(5): 237-257.
- R.L. Williams II, B.E. Carter, P. Gallina, and G. Rosati, 2002, ""Dynamic Model with Slip for Wheeled Omni-Directional Robots"", IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation, 18(3): 285-293.
Complete list: http://www.ohio.edu/people/williar4/html/Pubs.html
Patents:
- R.L. Williams II and P.M. Bosscher, ""Contour Crafting Cartesian Cable Robot"", U.S. Patent No. 7,753,642, July 13, 2010.
- R.L. Williams II, J.N. Howell, R.R. Conatser Jr., D.H. Noyes, and J.M. Burns, ""Methods for Measurement of Human Tissue Properties In Vivo"", Ohio University Invention Disclosure, July 26, 2005.
- J.S. Albus, R.V. Bostelman, and R.L. Williams II, “Self-Contained, Economical Construction Crane”, Ohio University/NIST Invention Disclosure, May, 2003.
- R.L. Williams II, F. van Graas, and J.J. Hall, “GPS/IMU Calibration Platform”, Provisional Patent, April 4, 2000.
- R.L. Williams II, “Active Scaffolding Systems”, U.S. Patent No. 5,803,203, September 8, 1998.
Awards:
- Best Research Paper Award, International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare, 2009
- P&G Best Paper Award, Applied Mechanisms & Robotics Conf., 1999
- Promising Young Investigator, Applied Mechanisms & Robotics Conf., 1997
- Russ Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, 2011
- Mechanical Engineering White Research Award, 2008
Something you may not know about me:Williams plays guitar, bass and sings in 2 rock bands