Pierre M Larochelle
(2017)
Education
B.S., University of California-San Diego
M.S., University of California-Irvine
Ph.D. University of California-Irvine
Dr. Larochelle’s research interests are centered on the study of open and closed spatial kinematic chains. These kinematic chains are the functional basis of robots, parallel kinematic machines, mechanisms and linkages. Specific areas of interest currently being investigated include autonomous walking machines, mobile robots, synthesis and analysis of spatial mechanisms for rigid body guidance; design of robotic mechanical systems for increased dynamic performance; optimal control of robotic mechanical systems; computer-aided design of spatial and spherical mechanisms; virtual reality as applied to the design of robotic mechanical systems; theoretical kinematics; and mechatronics. In addition, Dr. Larochelle is an expert in creativity & innovation within the engineering design process.Â
Click here to visit Dr. Larochelle's research lab
Pierre Larochelle (Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Irvine) serves as Department Head and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. Previously he served as an Associate Dean and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Florida Institute of Technology. His research focuses on the design of complex robotic mechanical systems and enabling creativity and innovation in design. He is the founding director of the RObotics and Computational Kinematics INnovation (ROCKIN) Laboratory, has over 100 publications, holds three US patents, and serves as a consultant on robotics, automation, machine design, creativity & innovation, and computer-aided design. He serves on ABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) and as an ABET Accreditation Visit Team Chair. Moreover, he currently serves as the Chair of the U.S. Committee on the Theory of Mechanisms & Machine Science and represents the U.S. in the International Federation for the Promotion of Mechanism & Machine Science.
At the undergraduate level Dr. Larochelle teaches courses in statics, dynamics, machines, robotics, vibrations, controls, and design. At the graduate level he teaches courses in advanced kinematics, robot dynamics & control, design of complex robotic mechanical systems, and spatial mechanism design.
