CV

Zachary Bucknor-Smartt

College Station, TX 77845
LinkedIn | Email | (210) 508-0376

Download My CV

Download CV (Up to date as of 12-29-2024)

Education

Texas A&M University | College Station, TX
BSc. Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics Minor, Undergraduate Thesis Research Scholar
Graduation: May 2025

• Junior/Senior GPA: 3.66/4.0
• Major GPA: 3.5

Relevant Coursework:
Mechanics of Robotic Manipulators, Dynamic Systems and Controls, Numerical Methods & Optimization, Machine Learning, Complex Analysis, Research, Data Structures, and Algorithms (MIT OCW)

Professional Summary

Dedicated and results-driven mechanical engineering student with a strong focus on software and controls, particularly interested in:

• Loco-manipulation
• Whole-body control
• Task planning
• Path planning
• Optimization
• Control theory
• Machine learning
• Intelligent manipulation

Proven ability to lead research initiatives, independently create undergraduate research labs, collaborate on multidisciplinary projects, and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.

Research Experience

Robotics and Automation Design Laboratory (Bush Combat Development Complex)

Undergraduate Researcher | May 2024 – August 2024

• Developed state-of-the-art strength amplification controllers in C++ for manipulators using virtual spring-mass-damper systems characterized by human-environment compliance.
• Utilized Python to perform system identification on MIMO robot systems to characterize compliance, force transfer, and true end-effector position.
• Led undergraduate students in authoring a journal paper and thesis in novel exoskeleton control.

Human-Empowering Robotics and Control Laboratory

Undergraduate Researcher | November 2023 – Present

Project 2: Direct User Control of Lower Limb Exoskeletons | May 2024 – Present

• Implemented high-level control strategies using Extended Kalman Filters to extract environmental information from thigh and shin angles.
• Designed and manufactured a belt-fed constant-length tension system for lower limb exoskeletons.

Project 1: Strength Amplification Arm | November 2023 – Present

• Proved stability for novel force control methods and communicated viability through academic papers.
• Designed, prototyped, and implemented end-effectors for the Haption 6D HF TAO robot, incorporating human force-torque sensing.
• Contributed to C++ libraries for the SRI M35 force-torque sensors and the Haption robot, achieving real-time single-degree-of-freedom strength amplification.

Rani Therapeutics

Robotics R&D Engineering Intern | May 2023 – August 2023

• Designed a 3-axis gantry robot for microscale operations using Python, OpenCV, SolidWorks, and C++.
• Automated drug filling and vacuuming operations, increasing speed with Dijkstra’s Algorithm and ensuring safety by eliminating human involvement.

Vehicle Systems & Control Laboratory

Undergraduate Researcher | August 2023 – November 2023

• Collaborated with PhD students on real-time intention prediction for upper-limb rehabilitation robots using Convolutional Neural Networks.
• Conducted literature reviews on intelligent and fuzzy control to implement learning algorithms.

Publications and Presentations

1. Z. Bucknor-Smartt, J. Mustafa, W. Bannick, L. Graves, M. Korwani, G. C. Thomas, “Direct User Control of Lower Limb Assistive Exoskeletons”, IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, June 2025 (In Progress).
2. A. Petrakian, Z. Bucknor-Smartt, C. Scott, G. C. Thomas, “Amplifying Human Strength Through a Virtual Sprung Inertia”, IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, May 12th, 2025 (Under Review).
3. A. Petrakian, Z. Bucknor-Smartt, G. C. Thomas, “Formulating Controllers for Human Strength Amplification”, Texas Regional Robotics Symposium, April 30th, 2024 (Conference Poster).
4. Z. Bucknor-Smartt, “Amplifying Human Strength Through a Virtual Sprung Inertia”, Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium, Rice University, November 9th, 2024 (Symposium Research Speech).
5. I. Lansdowne, Z. Bucknor-Smartt, J. Foltyn, J. Kong, M. Guttman, “TURTLE’s Low Cost, Open-Source Quadruped”, Texas Regional Robotics Symposium, April 30th, 2024 (Conference Poster).
6. Z. Bucknor-Smartt, “An Introduction to Computer Vision: Object and Edge Detection”, TAMU HowdyHack, September 28th, 2023 (Technical Seminar).

Experience

Texas A&M University

Course Grader | January 2025 – May 2025

• Graded MEEN 408/612, a stacked undergraduate/graduate course on robot kinematics, dynamics, and control algorithms.

Mechanical Engineering Peer Teacher | January 2024 – September 2024

• Authored notes and provided tutoring in feedback control, calculus, and differential equations.

Mechanical Engineering Ambassador | March 2023 – Present

• Delivered presentations to prospective students, led tours, and provided research advice for graduate students.

Activities & Projects

Los Alamos National Laboratories Aggies Invent

Chief Technical Officer, Team NewClear Solutions | November 2024

• Led a team to develop a multi-DOF teleoperation system for nuclear waste management, securing 2nd place.

T.U.R.T.L.E Robotics

President | August 2022 – Present

• Directed a 250+ member robotics organization, teaching weekly robotics classes and managing lab operations.

Team Lead: Partial Hand Amputee Prosthesis | August 2023 – Present

• Designed an EMG-controlled prosthetic hand, achieving 96% live prediction accuracy with PID control.

Skills

Technical Skills: Python, C++, MATLAB, ROS2, SolidWorks, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, Linux, OpenCV
Certifications: OSHA, CSWA, Additive Manufacturing, Sustainable Engineering
Knowledge Areas: Feedback Control Systems, Bayesian State Estimation, Machine Learning, Robot Dynamics, Legged Locomotion