Research News and Impact - University of Toronto Robotics Institute

The University of Toronto Robotics Institute is home to over 170 internationally recognized robotics experts spanning healthcare, mobility, and logistics and manufacturing. Learn more below about our international impact, research breadth, and award-winning faculty, students and alumni.

International Impact & Visibility

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Sheila McIlraith co-authors consensus paper on AI risks and governance

October 24, 2023

Sheila McIlraith is one of 24 international AI experts who propose a path forward to mitigate the risks and challenges associated with advanced AI systems.

Yu Sun’s research highlighted in Nature article

August 8, 2023

An article published by Nature highlights Yu Sun’s glioblastoma research as an example of research success at the University of Toronto.

Robotics Institute and partners welcome students from Ukraine for U of T’s computer science summer research program

May 19, 2023

Hosted by the Robotics Institute, the event welcomed the second cohort of computer science summer students from Ukraine.

Awards & Honours

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Left to right: Professor Tim Barfoot (UTIAS), Keenan Burnett (EngSci 1T6+PEY, UTIAS PhD 2T4) and Professor Gabriele D'Eleuterio (UTIAS) at the annual 2025 Gordon N Pattern (GNP) Lecture — each received the GNP Student Award in their year.

Keenan Burnett receives 2025 Gordon N Patterson Student Award

December 15, 2025

UTIAS awards robotics researcher Keenan Burnett (EngSci 1T6+PEY, UTIAS PhD 2T4) highest honour for a recent graduate

Florian Shkurti awarded fellowship from Schmidt Sciences to advance AI research

December 12, 2024

Florian Shkurti receives a AI2050 fellowships from Schmidt Sciences to advance research that harnesses AI’s full potential to serve humanity.

Jessica Burgner-Kahrs named ICRA@40 distinguished speaker

September 26, 2024

As part of ICRA@40 celebrations, Robotics Institute associate director, Jessica Burgner-Kahrs, delivered a keynote address.

Research Spotlights

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Bridging creativity and care: How this MIE grad is helping design the future of surgical robotics

November 19, 2025

Haley Mayer (MIE PhD 2T5) combined her passion for engineering design and societal impact by designing advanced robotic healthcare tools

New Canada Research Chairs advance research in personalized robots, equitable clinical systems and more

October 24, 2025

Robotics Institute researchers Goldie Nejat (MIE) and Myrtede Alfred (MIE) are among four recipients from U of T Engineering

Brains, minds and machines: A new algorithm for decoding intelligence

October 9, 2025

Algorithms developed by Professor Brokoslaw Laschowski (MIE) and his lab are being used to decode the brain and interface with machines