Samuel Zapolsky
Homepage for Samuel Zapolsky
Samuel Zapolsky Ph.D.
Bio
I am an expert in developing software and hardware components for strong, precise, and fast-moving robots and, in particular, assembling such components into a robust and reactive robotic system. I specialize in researching and developing software for high performance, contact-based manipulation and locomotion tasks, as well as leading a team of experts to do the same. I was previously Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Silicon Valley-funded startup Dextrous Robotics, where I developed innovative robotics hardware and software for use in the logistics space, specifically for package handling. My team deployed robust software and hardware components to the field for strong, precise, and fast-moving robotic systems often only seen in advanced research labs. I hold a Ph.D. in Computer Science focusing on Robotics and A.I. from The George Washington University in Washington, DC.
My Publications & Patents (via Google Scholar)
Résumé
Work history
Dextrous Robotics
CTO & Co-founder
June 2019 - Dec 2023
Memphis, TN
I was Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Co-founder of Dextrous Robotics, where I and a team of highly skilled engineers develop cutting-edge robotics hardware and software for use in the logistics space, specifically for package handling. My team has deployed to the field robust software and hardware components for strong, precise, and fast-moving robotic systems often only seen in advanced research labs.
At Dextrous Robotics, we use high-performance robots to manipulate parcels by touch. Our robots move heavy objects at remarkable speeds with unparalleled grace. What sets our engineering team apart is our mastery of contact-based bimanual manipulation. We pride ourselves on being among the world’s leading experts in developing and implementing these sophisticated systems that put our robots into a league of their own.
Toyota Research Institute
Research Scientist
April 2017 – June 2019
Los Altos, CA
Positronics Lab
George Washington University
Ph.D. Candidate
September 2012 – February 2017
Washington, DC
Advisor: Evan Drumwright
Dynamic Legged Systems Lab
Italian Institute of Technology: Department of Advanced Robotics
Visiting Researcher
July 2012 – Sep 2012
Genoa, Italy
Mentors: Jonas Buchli & Claudio Semini
Contact Info
Email: samzapo[at]gmail.com
LinkedIn
Ph.D. Research
I earned my Ph. D. while studying robotics in Evan Drumwright’s Positronics Lab at GWU.
My dissertation focused on discovering what circumstances make robots fail and then using simulted tools to modify a robot or its control system to prevent those failures from happening in the future, leading to a better and more robust robots.
Inverse Dynamics with Contact Force Prediction
Adaptive Integration for Controlling Speed vs. Accuracy in Multi-Rigid Body Simulation