# Tomas Lozano-Pérez

> artificial intelligence researcher

**Wikidata**: [Q58809826](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58809826)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomás_Lozano-Pérez)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tomas-lozano-perez

## Summary
Tomas Lozano-Pérez is an artificial intelligence researcher, computer scientist, and university teacher known for his significant contributions to robotics, motion planning, and geometric algorithms. He is a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has been recognized as an AAAI Fellow and an ACM Fellow for his pioneering work in the field.

## Biography
- Education: Doctor of Philosophy from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1974-1980)
- Known for: Robotics, motion planning, geometric algorithms
- Employer(s): Massachusetts Institute of Technology (professor since September 1, 1981)
- Field(s): Artificial intelligence, computer science

## Contributions
Tomas Lozano-Pérez has made foundational contributions to the fields of robotics, motion planning, and geometric algorithms. His research has been instrumental in advancing the capabilities of robotic systems, particularly in how they navigate and interact with their environments. For his pioneering work, he was recognized as an AAAI Fellow in 1990. Further acknowledging his impact, he was named an ACM Fellow in 2017, specifically cited for his contributions to robotics, motion planning, geometric algorithms, and their applications. Beyond his direct research, Lozano-Pérez has significantly shaped the next generation of computer scientists and roboticists through his role as a doctoral advisor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has advised numerous notable individuals, including Paul Viola, John Canny, Daniel S. Weld, Matthew T. Mason, Bruce Donald, and Margaret Aycinena Lippow, among others. His long tenure as a professor at MIT, beginning in 1981, underscores his sustained influence on academic research and education in artificial intelligence and robotics.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Tomas Lozano-Pérez known for?
A: Tomas Lozano-Pérez is known for his significant contributions to the fields of robotics, motion planning, geometric algorithms, and their applications. He is an artificial intelligence researcher and computer scientist.

### Q: Where does Tomas Lozano-Pérez work?
A: Tomas Lozano-Pérez is a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he has been employed since September 1, 1981. He also received his Doctor of Philosophy from MIT.

### Q: What awards has Tomas Lozano-Pérez received?
A: Tomas Lozano-Pérez has received several prestigious awards, including being named an AAAI Fellow in 1990 and an ACM Fellow in 2017. The ACM Fellowship specifically recognized his contributions to robotics, motion planning, geometric algorithms, and their applications.

### Q: Who was Tomas Lozano-Pérez's doctoral advisor?
A: Tomas Lozano-Pérez's doctoral advisor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was Berthold K. P. Horn.

### Q: Has Tomas Lozano-Pérez advised other notable researchers?
A: Yes, Tomas Lozano-Pérez has advised many doctoral students who went on to become notable researchers, including Paul Viola, John Canny, Daniel S. Weld, Matthew T. Mason, Bruce Donald, and Margaret Aycinena Lippow.

## Why They Matter
Tomas Lozano-Pérez matters significantly to the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics due to his foundational and sustained contributions to motion planning and geometric algorithms. His work has provided critical theoretical frameworks and practical methods that enable robots to navigate complex environments, manipulate objects, and perform tasks autonomously. This has had a lasting impact on various applications, from industrial automation to autonomous vehicles and medical robotics.

His influence extends beyond his direct research through his role as a professor and doctoral advisor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. By mentoring a generation of leading computer scientists and roboticists, including prominent figures like Paul Viola and John Canny, he has propagated his expertise and research philosophy, shaping the trajectory of the field for decades. The recognition he has received as an AAAI Fellow and an ACM Fellow underscores the high regard in which his peers hold his intellectual leadership and the enduring relevance of his work. Without his pioneering efforts, the development of intelligent robotic systems would likely be far less advanced, and the academic landscape of robotics would be notably different.

## Notable For
*   Being an ACM Fellow (2017) for contributions to robotics, motion planning, geometric algorithms, and their applications.
*   Being an AAAI Fellow (1990).
*   Serving as a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology since 1981.
*   Advising numerous prominent doctoral students, including Paul Viola, John Canny, Daniel S. Weld, Matthew T. Mason, and Bruce Donald.
*   His doctoral research at MIT under Berthold K. P. Horn.

## Body

### Education and Early Career
Tomas Lozano-Pérez pursued his higher education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he completed his Doctor of Philosophy. His doctoral studies spanned from September 1, 1974, to June 1, 1980. During this period, his doctoral advisor was Berthold K. P. Horn.

### Professional Appointments
Since September 1, 1981, Tomas Lozano-Pérez has been employed as a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His primary occupations include computer scientist and university teacher, with a focus on artificial intelligence research.

### Research and Contributions
Tomas Lozano-Pérez is recognized as an artificial intelligence researcher, specializing in computer science. His work has significantly contributed to:
*   Robotics
*   Motion planning
*   Geometric algorithms and their applications

He has served as a doctoral advisor to a number of individuals who have gone on to make significant contributions in their fields. His doctoral students include:
*   Michael Andreas Erdmann
*   Paul Viola
*   John Canny
*   Daniel S. Weld
*   Matthew T. Mason
*   Bruce Donald
*   Lisa Tucker-Kellogg
*   Cheuk-san Edward Wang
*   Margaret Aycinena Lippow
*   Kaijen Hsiao

### Awards and Recognition
Tomas Lozano-Pérez has received several prestigious accolades for his work:
*   **AAAI Fellow**: He was recognized as an AAAI Fellow in 1990.
*   **ACM Fellow**: He became an ACM Fellow on December 11, 2017. This award specifically cited his "contributions to robotics, and motion planning, geometric algorithms, and their applications." He is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery.

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## References

1. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0002-8657-2450/employment/1278955)
2. [Source](https://aaai.org/about-aaai/aaai-awards/the-aaai-fellows-program/elected-aaai-fellows/)
3. [Source](https://www.acm.org/media-center/2017/december/fellows-2017)
4. Mathematics Genealogy Project