January 08, 2025

Robot Expert Retires After Pioneering Nuclear Cleanup Work

Robotics legend Carnegie Mellon is retiring after 40 years in robotics. Hailing from Carnegie Mellon University, Chuck is known for creating robots tasked to inspecting the Three Mile Island nuclear disaster site. His work helped launch modern field robotics technology.

Whittaker started at CMU in 1985, developing robots that could safely enter radioactive areas at Three Mile Island near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

"Chuck's enthusiasm, expertise, and unwavering dedication have profoundly shaped the Robotics Institute," said a CMU representative.

He served as senior field robotics engineer at CMU's Field Robotics Center since 2004, leading projects in autonomous vehicles and space exploration.

Between his CMU roles, Whittaker worked at Redzone Robotics, a company his brother William "Red" Whittaker co-founded.

He mentored high school students through the Girls of Steel robotics program run by George Kantor.

Whittaker marked his retirement with a final lecture at the Field Robotics Center.

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