Pinhas Ben-Tzvi
Pinhas Ben-Tzvi
Robotics and Automation; Mechatronics; Controls; Sensing/Actuation; Machine Learning
As a professor of mechanical engineering and electrical and computer engineering and the founding director of the Robotics and Mechatronics Laboratory at Virginia Tech, I am passionate about educating students at the graduate and undergraduate level in robotics and mechatronics, transferring university-based technologies to the marketplace, and collaborating with industry and government to help solve real-world problems.
With my students, we conduct fundamental and applied research in robotics and mechatronics. Some of our current projects include robotic exoskeletons for use in rehabilitation, bio-inspired robotic tails that can be used to stabilize and maneuver legged robots in the field, and semi-autonomous victim extraction robots that can remove injured people from harm’s way without risking more lives.
I earned a bachelors in mechanical engineering from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, and a masters and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Toronto. Before attending graduate school, I worked as an R&D engineer at General Electric Medical Systems Company, developing medical diagnostic robotic and mechatronic systems. In 2019 I received the College of Engineering Excellence in Teaching Award, and in 2018 the Faculty Fellow Award.
Something that excites me in my field….
The rapid development of robotic technologies and their integration into our society.
I first discovered a passion for this work…
From a very young age, I recall being obsessed with how things worked by taking apart various types of machines and appliances and trying to put them back together. It did not always work, but it was very instructive. In addition, as a kid, I was inspired by sci-fi tv shows and 70's and 80's movies such as the six million dollar man, Star Trek: the next generation and more.
My work impacts society…
By seeking to understand how humans and robots can safely and effectively interact with one another and to invent robotic technologies with the purpose of improving quality of life and augmenting human capabilities that results in human-robot symbiosis.
I see the future in my field...
Very exciting as robotic technologies become more and more omnipresent in our society.
Groups or organizations I am involved in…
Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers..
Honor or award I am most proud of…
Graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology.
The most formative experience I've had…
Remembering as a child my parents' dedication and hard work as immigrants to give us a better life and believing in me and pushing me to succeed was a source of perpetual inspiration that stayed with me throughout my whole life and career. This taught me the values of hard work, dedication, tenacity, being passionate, and to never give up despite obstacles on the way.
I wish I invented…
A perpetual engine and a miniature perpetual energy source— just like the one in the movie Iron Man!
Words of encouragement to an aspiring inventor...
Practice makes the master! Never give up because you run into difficulties developing your ideas. Be persistent and keep abreast of current technological and scientific developments. Do not be satisfied with what you already know, but rather what new knowledge you can acquire and new skills you can learn. Remember that learning is a never-ending process!
Best part of working at Virginia Tech…
Working at one of the best engineering colleges in the nation, and being surrounded by bright minds, working with top-notch self-motivated students, and creating and cultivating new research ideas for students to pursue..
My favorite quote...
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination" - Einstein
If I had a superpower, it would be...
Definitely teleportation. But, if I could pick another one, then it would be time travel. The first is about space and the second is about time. After all, the physical universe is defined as all of space and time (collectively referred to as spacetime) and their contents.
In my free time...
I love spending time with my wife and kids, reading books, listening to classical music, baking and cooking, watching documentaries and science fiction movies, traveling, and pondering about the universe and what's out there, just to name a few…
What motivates you the most...
My most intelligent, beautiful, and supportive wife, Annette, and my four amazing kids, Timor, Jonathan, Daniel and Sara, and the memory of my loving parents
Additional Highlights
Pinhas Ben-Tzvi | Professor
Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech College of Engineering
(540) 231-6938
College of Engineering - Faculty Bio Page
‘Engineers Could Put Tails on Robots’
https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/engineers-could-put-tails-on-robots
