Alumnae Teaching Professorship Recipient, 2003
Professor Colgate's principal research interest is human-robot interaction. He has worked extensively in the areas of haptic (touch) interface, remote manipulation, and advanced prosthetics. He, along with collaborator Michael Peshkin, is the inventor of a broad class of collaborative robots known as “cobots.” Professor Colgate’s has also developed technologies that bring haptic feedback to touch-based interfaces such as touch screens and trackpads. He is currently working in three areas: 1) tactile texture recording and reproduction; 2) high-speed electroadhesive clutches for applications in haptics and robotics; and 3) robotic manipulation with dexterous hands.
Northwestern University: McCormick School of Engineering 7-15-2026