Matthew T. Mason
Matthew T. Mason researches robotic manipulation and the physical mechanics of handling objects. He earned his MIT AI doctorate and joined Carnegie Mellon in 1982. An AAAI Fellow from 1992, he studied desktop robotics and co-led the Manipulation Laboratory. His Mechanics of Robotic Manipulation textbook appeared in 2001. Carnegie Mellon appointed him Robotics Institute director in July 2004. Mason and Devin Balkcom developed an origami-folding robot.
- Works
- 190
- Citations
- 12,806
- h-index
- 49
Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 14 October 2026.
Timeline
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1982
AI doctorate and Carnegie Mellon
Mason earned an MIT AI doctorate in 1982. He joined the Carnegie Mellon faculty the same year. His subsequent research centered on manipulation and the interaction between robots and physical objects.
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1992
AAAI recognition
AAAI elected Mason a Fellow in 1992. His research includes desktop robotics, a program examining the concepts and technology needed for robots to rearrange objects on a typical desk. Manipulation research joins geometric planning with the physical behavior of objects and contact.
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2001
Mechanics of robotic manipulation
Mason’s textbook Mechanics of Robotic Manipulation appeared in August 2001. He also co-led the Manipulation Laboratory. The book and laboratory work connect an account of physical mechanics with the design and study of robotic manipulation methods.
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2004
Shared folding research and institute leadership
Carnegie Mellon appointed Mason Robotics Institute director effective July 1, 2004. Mason and Devin Balkcom developed an origami-folding robot. Mason succeeded Charles Thorpe after earlier chair service for the robotics doctoral program.
Sources and credits
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