Lindsay Sanneman

Humankind might dream of reaching for the stars, but space is vast and inhospitable.

Our desire to discover what’s out there requires innovative solutions. So, Lindsay Sanneman studies autonomous systems in the aerospace domain. Unmanned spacecraft, satellites that increasingly use artificial intelligence, or AI, as part of their functioning and robotic vehicles are examples of autonomous systems that are becoming essential parts of our efforts to better understand our universe and even our own planet.

The MIT AeroAstro Future Leader in Aerospace acquired an appreciation for exploration as a small child.

“Growing up, I loved following the space program and watched many space shuttle launches,” she says. “I saw NASA’s Spirit and Opportunity rovers land on Mars live on television.”

Sanneman joins the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, as an assistant professor of computer science and engineering. After receiving her doctoral degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she turned her focus to developing human-centered approaches in AI, robotics and human-robot interaction. She was awarded the Siegel Research Fellowship and the FASPE Fellowship in Design and Technology.

As she worked, Sanneman perceived that the technology being developed had applications in the far-off reaches of space — and much closer to home. As a member of MIT’s Work of the Future task force, she visited more than 50 factories worldwide alongside an interdisciplinary group of social scientists and engineers to explore how to implement manufacturing technology in a human-centered way.

“Whether the users of new technology are scientists exploring Mars, factory workers building semiconductors or members of the public interacting with large language model technologies, I hope to lower the barriers in AI and robotics to ensure innovation is most helpful in its needed context,” she says.

Sanneman will begin teaching in the spring, likely helming a course in trustworthy AI. She says the School of Computing and Augmented has a reputation for providing a welcoming and supportive environment to both students and faculty.

“It was clear to me from my visit that faculty are provided with the resources and support they need to do highly impactful research,” she says.

Sanneman’s arrival at the Fulton Schools is something of a homecoming. She grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, and both of her parents are ASU alumni.

“My parents are excited to finally have a Sun Devil in the family!” she says.

Meet the newest faculty members of the Fulton Schools of Engineering here.

Written by Kelly deVos