Leandro G. Barajas, Ph.D., PMP is a Staff Researcher with the Advanced Robotics Group at General Motors Global R&D. He is currently focusing his research on the areas of safe human-robot interaction, robot task learning, dexterous end-effectors, and intelligent perception. For the last few years he has been part of the interdisciplinary GM-NASA team developing the humanoid dexterous robot, Robonaut 2 (R2). R2 was designed to be a robotic assistant that can work alongside humans, whether they are astronauts in space or workers at GM manufacturing plants on Earth. R2 was launched up to the International Space Station (ISS) on 2/24/2011 as part of the STS-133 mission, fulfilling a 15 year dream to put a humanoid robot into space. As recognition for his contributions to R2, he has received the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer, the NASA Exceptional Space Act Award, and the NASA Johnson Space Center’s Exceptional Software Award.
Leandro received an Honors degree in Electronics Engineering as Valedictorian from the Universidad Distrital F.J.C., Bogotá, Colombia, in 1998, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Atlanta, GA in 2000 and 2003, respectively. During his graduate studies, he developed and patented novel surface mount technology manufacturing control methodologies at Georgia Tech’s Manufacturing Research Center.
Leandro has been distinguished with over 30 corporate, academic and professional awards. He is also the author of over 50 technical publications, as well as more than 30 patents & patent applications. He is also a certified Project Manager Professional (PMP) and a Project Management Institute (PMI) member. He is a IEEE Senior Member, a SME Senior Member, a SAE International Member and an Elected Full Member & GM Chapter Past President of SIGMA XI (The Scientific Research Society). In addition, he has been a dedicated FIRST Robotics Competition mentor for the Rochester High School/GM R&D team (FEDS 201) for last 8 years.
Leandro is a certified YMCA-PADI Open Water II SCUBA Diver and a FAA licensed Private Pilot (ASEL, HP) currently flying Cessna 172s & 182s and Columbia 350s.