Welcome

I am a Postdoctoral Associate at the Distributed Robotics Lab in CSAIL, MIT. I work with Prof. Daniela Rus on unconventional robotic systems utilizing pneumatic and shape memory actuation of soft materials.
I received my PhD from Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Mechanical Engineering advised by Prof. Metin Sitti. In CMU, I worked on automated and teleoperated micro- and nano-robotic manipulation.
I received my MSc and BSc degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Sabanci University, in Turkey, advised by Prof. Asif Sabanovic. In Sabanci, I worked on bilateral teleoperation control and hybrid force/position control.

Research Interests

My research is generally inspired by the necessity to develop machines that are closer to their biological counterparts in terms of both capability and safety. Nature found solutions to many of the problems currently facing the robotics community using compact, compliant, low-power components. These solutions are impressive in elegance and agility. Hence as a robotics researcher, I am interested in alternative actuation/sensing mechanisms, relevant fabrication and control methods, as well as minuaturization to enable advances in robotic functionality. Sub-tracks of this research plan can be listed as:
Soft robotics: Safe and adaptive robots that embed intelligence in their elasticity to negotiate with rough terrain and conform to objects to be manipulated. Such robots have the potential to be utilized in human-robot interaction projects, as tactile input/display devices, and in rehabilitation applications.
Printable robotics: Building 3-D real-world robots utilizing planar fabrication techniques has the benefit of lower cost and higher speed. Current research focuses on origami crease patterns that become active components in a robotic body when folded from a flat sheet.
Control theory: I have explored control systems on hybrid force/position control, bilateral teleoperation, sliding mode control, adaptive control, iterative learning control, etc. These systems will act as an intelligence layer to drive the robots autonomously, allow an operator to command them through a bilateral link, and observe states and parameters.
Micro/Nano-Science and Technology: Miniaturizing robots and components through micro/nano-manipulation may reduce size or increase functional density. Improved components can be built using micro/nano-scale physical phenomena.