James McLurkin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James McLurkin
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| Alma mater | Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of California at Berkeley |
| Known for | Inventing the world's smallest self-contained autonomous robots |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Google, Rice University |
| Thesis | Analysis and Implementation of Distributed Algorithms for Multi-Robot Systems (2008) |
James McLurkin is a brilliant engineer who works at Google. He is well-known for inventing some of the world's smallest self-contained robots. Before joining Google, he was a professor at Rice University, where he taught about swarm robotics. In 2005, he appeared on the popular TV show Nova. He also won a special award called the 2003 Lemelson-MIT Prize for his amazing inventions.
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Growing Up and First Robots
James McLurkin was born in 1972 in Baldwin, New York. He finished high school in Baldwin in 1990. When he was just 16 years old, in 1988, he built his very first robot! He named his early robot "Rover." This was the beginning of his exciting journey into the world of robotics.
Education and Robot Discoveries
James McLurkin studied at some of the best universities. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), from the MIT. Later, he got his master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of California at Berkeley.
In 2008, he completed his highest degree, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), in computer science. He earned this from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.
Swarm Robotics Explained
For his PhD research, James McLurkin worked on something super cool called "swarm robotics." Imagine a group of tiny robots working together, just like a swarm of bees or a school of fish. He created special computer instructions, called "algorithms," to make these robots act like a team.
These robot swarms can do amazing things. They can:
- Cluster: Gather together in a group.
- Disperse: Spread out from each other.
- Follow: Move behind a leader robot.
- Orbit: Move around a central point.
His work helps us understand how many small robots can work together to solve big problems.
Sharing His Ideas
In 1995, the Smithsonian Institution invited James McLurkin to speak. He gave a presentation to schoolchildren about his life and career. This event was part of the Smithsonian's efforts to encourage young people to learn about invention and innovation. He loves to share his passion for robots with others!
