Mastering Data Collection without Human Knowledge

​Welcome to the Robotics & Embodied Intelligence Seminar!

​​Join us for an engaging session exploring how AI, robotics, and wireless innovation are converging to transform the physical world. This hybrid event will be held at 5 MTC LC400 and online mark your calendars and don’t miss this opportunity to connect with leading researchers shaping the future of intelligent machines. Whether you’re a student, professional, or enthusiast, this seminar offers a front-row seat to the breakthroughs redefining how robots sense, learn, and act.

​​​​​About the Lecture

​Title: Mastering Data Collection without Human Knowledge

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Abstract: Over the past decade, machine learning has enabled automated decision-making algorithms with superhuman proficiency in challenging domains, including the game of Go and robotics. However, it remains an open challenge to bring the power of automated decision-making back into the machine learning pipeline—particularly for data collection. My research develops robot autonomy for unsupervised data collection, with the goal of creating an “AlphaGo” moment in how machines acquire data, achieving superhuman proficiency with certifiable optimality. In this talk, I will highlight three areas of my research that are crucial to this goal: (1) control for physical randomization, which enables robots to generate data with certifiable statistical properties through motor control; (2) heterogeneous multi-agent coordination, which leverages the complementary strengths of different agents, sensors or actuators; and (3) hierarchical decision-making, which exploits hierarchical structure to augment continuous control with discrete search.​​​

​About the Speaker

​Max Sun is a final-year Ph.D. student at Northwestern University’s Center for Robotics and Biosystems, advised by Prof. Todd Murphey. His research focuses on developing robot autonomy as controllable data engines that generate data without human supervision. Applications of his research include robot manipulation, robot perception, human–robot interaction, and soft robot control. He also collaborated with Dr. Peter Trautman at Honda Research Institute, where they developed a full-stack system for a large-scale field deployment of robot navigation in human crowds in Santa Cruz, CA.

​​​​​🔗 Faculty

​​​​​Visitor Information

​​​​​​This event is open to NYU students, faculty, and staff.

​​​​​​📍 Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering,

​​​​​​ 5 MetroTech Center Room LC400, [NYU ID required ]

​​​​​​📍 Location:

​​​Zoom Link: https://nyu.zoom.us/j/94679794904?pwd=VzOlQraRGla3jW5QbWE6Y51SWIrP8v.1 Meeting ID: 946 7979 4904 Passcode: 266975

​​About the Robotics & Embodied Intelligence Series

​​The Robotics & Embodied Intelligence Seminar Series highlights the interdisciplinary work happening across NYU Tandon’s robotics ecosystem — uniting AI, mechanical systems, mechatronics, and wireless technologies.
From bio-inspired locomotion and AI4CE Lab’s autonomous construction research to Machines in Motion’s dynamic control and Bio mechatronics Lab’s assistive robotics, each session offers a deep dive into the innovations reshaping how humans and machines interact.