Dr Andy Barber

Profile

I am a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds, and an Academic within the Real Robotics Lab in the Institute of Design, Robotics and Manufacture, based in the School of Mechanical Engineering.

I gained my Masters of Engineering in Mechatronics and Robotics in 2012. I later returned to complet my PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds, entitled “Development and Optimisation of 3D Printed Compliant Joint Mechanisms for Hypermobile Robots”.

As a Post-Doctorate researcher, i was involved in multiple large-scale research grants. My role in the “Self Repairing Cities” project was based around integrating robotic tooling onto pre-existing platforms to complete urban environment challenges. In the “Pipebots” project, I worked alongside researchers at multiple universities, designing and developing multiple robotic platforms to investigate sewer and potable water networks, with our work being covered by multiple news organisations. As part of AMPi (Advanced Machinery and Productivity Institute), I built upon my previous knowledge to explore how small robots could be produced using novel manufacturing methods.

Research interests

My research interests are largely involved around devloping robots to operate in the world around us, with the robustness and resilience to be able to function in harsh environments.

I am also interested in developing reconfigurable robotic systems that are able to adapt to their task or environment, so they may be able to operate utilising efficient and novel methodologies.

Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds
• MEng/ BEng in Mechatronics and Robotics, University of Leeds

Student education

I supervise undergraduate and masters research projects, and lead modules on mechatronics and robotics.

Research groups and institutes

• Institute of Design, Robotics and Manufacturing
• Robotics