# Jean-Claude Latombe

> American roboticist

**Wikidata**: [Q16115595](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16115595)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Claude_Latombe)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jean-claude-latombe

## Summary
Jean-Claude Latombe was a French-American roboticist and computer scientist known for his pioneering contributions to robot motion planning and computational geometry. As a professor at Stanford University, he advanced the theoretical and practical foundations of robotics, influencing generations of researchers in the field.

## Biography
- **Born**: May 16, 1947, in Pernes-les-Fontaines, France
- **Nationality**: France (later affiliated with the U.S.)
- **Education**:
  - Ph.D. from Grenoble Alpes University (formerly Grenoble Institute of Technology)
- **Known for**: Robot motion planning, computational geometry, and robotics research
- **Employer(s)**: Stanford University (Computer Science Department)
- **Field(s)**: Robotics, computer science, artificial intelligence

## Contributions
Jean-Claude Latombe made foundational contributions to robot motion planning, a critical area in robotics that enables autonomous systems to navigate complex environments. His work in the 1980s and 1990s introduced algorithms for collision-free path planning, which became essential for industrial robotics, autonomous vehicles, and surgical robots. He authored the influential book *Robot Motion Planning* (1991), which remains a key reference in the field. Latombe also mentored numerous Ph.D. students who became leading figures in robotics, including Lydia E. Kavraki, James J. Kuffner Jr., and David Hsu. His research bridged theory and practice, leading to advancements in probabilistic roadmap methods (PRM) and other sampling-based planning techniques. His collaborations with industry and academia helped shape modern robotics education and research.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Jean-Claude Latombe best known for?
A: He is best known for his work in robot motion planning, particularly developing algorithms for collision-free navigation in complex environments. His book *Robot Motion Planning* (1991) is a seminal text in the field.

### Q: Where did Jean-Claude Latombe teach?
A: He was a professor in the Computer Science Department at Stanford University, where he held the Kumagai Professorship in the School of Engineering.

### Q: Who were some of Jean-Claude Latombe’s notable students?
A: His Ph.D. students include Lydia E. Kavraki (now a professor at Rice University), James J. Kuffner Jr. (a roboticist at Toyota Research Institute), and David Hsu (a professor at the National University of Singapore).

### Q: What awards did Jean-Claude Latombe receive?
A: He was elected an AAAI Fellow in 1993 for his contributions to robotics, particularly in motion planning theory and practice.

### Q: What was Jean-Claude Latombe’s educational background?
A: He earned his Ph.D. from Grenoble Alpes University (formerly Grenoble Institute of Technology) in France.

## Why They Matter
Jean-Claude Latombe’s work laid the groundwork for modern robot motion planning, enabling robots to operate autonomously in dynamic and cluttered environments. His algorithms and theoretical frameworks are widely used in industrial automation, medical robotics, and autonomous vehicles. By mentoring a generation of roboticists, he extended his influence far beyond his own research, shaping the trajectory of the field. Without his contributions, many of today’s robotic systems would lack the sophisticated planning capabilities that make them practical and reliable.

## Notable For
- Authoring *Robot Motion Planning* (1991), a foundational textbook in robotics.
- Developing algorithms for collision-free path planning in robotics.
- Being elected an AAAI Fellow (1993) for his contributions to robotics.
- Mentoring influential roboticists, including Lydia E. Kavraki and James J. Kuffner Jr.
- Holding the Kumagai Professorship in the School of Engineering at Stanford University.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Jean-Claude Latombe was born on May 16, 1947, in Pernes-les-Fontaines, France. He pursued his higher education at Grenoble Alpes University (then part of Grenoble Institute of Technology), where he earned his Ph.D. His early research focused on computational geometry and its applications in robotics.

### Academic Career
Latombe joined Stanford University’s Computer Science Department, where he became a leading figure in robotics research. He held the Kumagai Professorship in the School of Engineering and directed research in motion planning, a subfield of robotics concerned with generating feasible paths for robots in complex environments.

### Research and Publications
His most notable publication, *Robot Motion Planning* (1991), synthesized years of research into a comprehensive framework for planning robotic movements. The book introduced key concepts such as configuration space (C-space) and sampling-based planning, which became standard tools in robotics.

Latombe’s research also explored probabilistic roadmap methods (PRM), which use random sampling to efficiently compute collision-free paths. These methods are now widely adopted in industrial and research applications.

### Mentorship and Legacy
Latombe advised numerous Ph.D. students who went on to make significant contributions to robotics. His students include:
- **Lydia E. Kavraki** (Rice University), known for her work on sampling-based motion planning.
- **James J. Kuffner Jr.** (Toyota Research Institute), a leader in autonomous systems.
- **David Hsu** (National University of Singapore), who advanced probabilistic planning techniques.

### Awards and Recognition
In 1993, Latombe was elected a Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) for his contributions to robot motion planning. His work has been cited extensively in robotics literature, and his algorithms remain in use today.

### Later Years and Influence
Latombe’s research continued to influence robotics long after his active years. His theories underpin many modern robotic systems, from warehouse automation to surgical robots. His emphasis on bridging theory and practice helped establish robotics as a rigorous academic discipline.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Person",
  "name": "Jean-Claude Latombe",
  "jobTitle": "Professor of Computer Science",
  "worksFor": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Stanford University"
  },
  "nationality": {
    "@type": "Country",
    "name": "France"
  },
  "birthDate": "1947-05-16",
  "birthPlace": "Pernes-les-Fontaines, France",
  "alumniOf": [
    {
      "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
      "name": "Grenoble Alpes University"
    },
    {
      "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
      "name": "Grenoble Institute of Technology"
    }
  ],
  "knowsAbout": [
    "Robotics",
    "Computer Science",
    "Motion Planning",
    "Computational Geometry"
  ],
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345678",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Claude_Latombe"
  ],
  "description": "French-American roboticist and computer scientist known for his foundational work in robot motion planning."
}

## References

1. [Source](https://profiles.stanford.edu/jean-claude-latombe)
2. [Source](https://aaai.org/about-aaai/aaai-awards/the-aaai-fellows-program/elected-aaai-fellows/)
3. Mathematics Genealogy Project
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. Who's Who in France
7. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File