Robotic Navigation in Human Crowds: Theory and Experiments for Harnessing Cooperation Pete Trautman Ph.D. Student, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) We consider the problem of navigating a mobile robot through human crowds. In particular, we explore three questions. What constitutes ``successful'' navigation for a…

From Newton’s Cradle to New Materials Chiara Daraio, Ph.D. Aeronautics and Applied Physics California Institute of Technology (Caltech) The bouncing beads of Newton's cradle fascinate children and executives alike, but their symmetric dance hides complex dynamic behavior. Lift a bead on one side off a chain of a few suspended…