“Our goal is to enable multiple robots to work as a team to perform complex real-world tasks. By designing theories and algorithms to control teams of robots, we envision autonomous agents to help human workers in many applications including agriculture, environmental monitoring, security, or disaster response."
— Daigo Shishika, assistant professor of mechanical engineering
Robotics, Mechatronics, and Control Engineering research at George Mason University's Department of Mechanical Engineering explores next-generation medical sensors and robotic systems, autonomous aerial and water vehicles, AI-enabled sensing and control, and space traffic management and mobility technologies.
Areas of Focus
Autonomous Systems
Faculty, students, and research staff are engaged in cutting-edge multi-disciplinary research and education efforts in basic and translational autonomous systems research. This research looks at the intersection of humans and technology with embedded AI. Autonomous systems today, and even more so in the future, require coordination and teamwork for mutual support between humans and machines for improved system safety and performance.
Principal Investigator: Missy Cummings
The Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center (MARC) at George Mason University is a multidisciplinary research hub advancing robotics, autonomous systems, and responsible AI. MARC connects cutting-edge innovation with real-world applications in defense, mobility, and human-machine interaction.
Biomedical Robotics
Researchers develop robotic and prosthetic devices for individuals who have experienced a neurological injury or amputation, and explore the design of novel soft actuation strategies for exoskeleton and prosthetic devices. Researchers also seek to use these robotic and prosthetic devices to evaluate and assess sensorimotor control, retrain sensorimotor function, and assist with the execution of daily activities of living.
Principal Investigator: Quentin Sanders
Maritime Robotics and Vessel Dynamics
Capitalizing on George Mason’s unique waterfront facility at the Potomac Science Center, this research focuses on computational and experimental studies to better understand the dynamics and hydrodynamics of manned and unmanned vessels.
Principal Investigator: Leigh McCue
Multi-Agent Autonomous Systems
Research in this area focuses on multi-agent systems operating in complex and uncertain environments. Researchers study how cooperative team behaviors emerge in adversarial settings with partial information. This research integrates control theory, game theory, and machine learning to develop models and algorithms for decision-making and interaction in multi-agent systems. Researchers also explores bio-inspired robotics and develops hands-on experimental platforms, including mechatronics-based robotic systems and competitions, that connect theoretical insights with practical implementation and system-level design.
Principal Investigator: Daigo Shishika
Nanobiosensors
Researchers conduct fundamental research on micro/nanoscale mechanics and photonics with nanomaterials for innovations in nanobiosensors to explore broad fields including nanophotonics, optofluidic, optoelectronics, and plasmonics to create innovations in advanced materials and manufacturing for high-performance, low-cost sensor devices. The research aims to develop advanced, high-performance materials with new functionalities in mechanical, optical, and electrical properties.
Principal Investigator: Pilgyu Kang
Space Systems
This research leverages faculty experience in government and industry to develop and deploy new concepts supporting more efficient and more effective utilization in the trillion-dollar space economy. Researchers produce advanced models for use in space traffic management and orbital debris removal/in-situ resource recovery, alongside prototype development for sensors and mobility systems.
Principal Investigator: Phillip M. Cunio