Nancy Pollard


Nancy Pollard is a Professor in the Robotics Institute and the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon University. She received her PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory in 1994, where she performed research on grasp planning for articulated robot hands. Before joining CMU, Nancy was an Assistant Professor and part of the Computer Graphics Group at Brown University. Her primary research objective is to understand how to create natural motion for animated human characters and humanoid robots.


Foam Robotics Lab

CMU Graphics Lab


Publications


Courses

Spring 2024--- 15-462/15-662: Computer Graphics
Spring 2024--- 16-848: Hands: Design and Control for Dexterous Manipulation
Spring 2023--- 15-462/15-662: Computer Graphics
Spring 2023--- 15-464/15-664: Technical Animation
Spring 2022--- 15-462/15-662: Computer Graphics
Spring 2022--- 16-848: Hands: Design and Control for Dexterous Manipulation
Spring 2021--- 15-464/15-664: Technical Animation
Spring 2021--- 15-462/15-662: Computer Graphics
Spring 2020--- 15-464/15-664: Technical Animation
Spring 2020--- 16-848: Hands: Design and Control for Dexterous Manipulation
Spring 2019--- 15-462/15-662: Computer Graphics
Spring 2019--- 15-464/15-664: Technical Animation
Spring 2018--- 15-462/15-662: Computer Graphics
Spring 2018--- 16-848: Hands: Design and Control for Dexterous Manipulation
Spring 2017--- 15-462/15-662: Computer Graphics
Spring 2017--- 15-464/15-664: Technical Animation
Spring 2016--- 15-462/15-662: Computer Graphics
Spring 2016--- 16-899: Hands: Design and Control for Dexterous Manipulation
Spring 2015--- 15-462/15-662: Computer Graphics
Spring 2015--- 15-464/15-664: Technical Animation
Spring 2014--- 15-462/15-662: Computer Graphics
Spring 2014--- 15-869: Physically Based Character Animation
Spring 2013--- 15-462/15-662: Computer Graphics
Spring 2013--- 15-464/15-664: Technical Animation
Spring 2012--- 15-462: Computer Graphics
Spring 2012--- 15-869: Physically Based Character Animation
Spring 2011--- 15-462: Computer Graphics
Spring 2011--- 15-464: Technical Animation
Spring 2010--- 16-899: Hands: Design and Control for Dexterous Manipulation
Fall 2009--- 15-464: Technical Animation
Spring 2009--- 15-869: Physically Based Character Animation
Fall 2008--- 15-462: Computer Graphics
Spring 2008--- 15-462: Computer Graphics
Fall 2007--- 15-462: Computer Graphics
Spring 2007--- 15-464: Technical Animation
Fall 2006--- 15-869: Physically Based Character Animation
Fall 2005--- 15-462: Computer Graphics
Fall 2005--- 15-464/16-464: Technical Animation


Research / Projects

I am interested in understanding physical interaction with the environment --- how do we select and apply exactly the right forces to maneuver bulky and heavy objects, scramble over large rocks using both hands and feet, or use hand held tools? In robotics, a better understanding of these interaction forces can help us create more dexterous robots that can operate in an environment such as the home. In computer graphics, an understanding of interaction forces can help us to create more natural looking motion when a character climbs, performs athletic maneuvers, or manipulates objects.

One of my particular areas of interest in both robotics and graphics is to model convincing hand motion---a difficult task, as the hands have almost as many degrees of freedom as the rest of the body. I also have a specific interest in new techniques for evaluating perceived quality of human or humanoid motion.

Please see my publications page for papers and web sites for specific projects.


Three Rivers Aikikai


Contact Information

Robotics Institute, EDSH 227
5000 Forbes Avenue
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
412-268-1479 (voice)
412-268-6436 (fax)
nsp __at__ cs.cmu.edu