Daniela Rus, director of the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and professor of electrical engineering and computer science at MIT, was recently named by the City Trusts board of directors as a co-recipient of the 2024 John Scott Award. This prestigious, historically significant honor honors scientific innovation in the same place where American independence was signed in Philadelphia, a testament to the enduring connection between scientific progress and human potential.
The Scott Award, America’s first science award established to honor the scientific legacy of Benjamin Franklin, was recognized by Rus along with professors Takeo Kanade of Carnegie Mellon University and Vijay Kumar of the University of Pennsylvania. The award recognized her research in robotics, which has fundamentally changed our understanding of the field, expanding the very concept of what a robot can be.
Rus’ work goes beyond customary robotics and focuses on developing machine intelligence that makes sense of the physical world through explainable algorithms. Her research represents a profound vision: creating robots as useful tools that enhance human power, precision and reach – as collaborative partners that can solve real-world challenges.
In her speech, Rus recalled when she was a student and thought that the potential of clever machines lay in the synergy between the body and the brain. “A robot’s capabilities are determined by its physical body and the intelligence that controls it. “Over the past decades, I have dedicated my research to the development of both mechanical and cognitive robotic systems, collaborating with brilliant students, colleagues and friends who share this transformative vision,” she said.
Her designs illustrate this commitment. MiniSurgeon is a tiny origami robot that can be swallowed and can remove dangerous button batteries from children’s devices. Soft robots such as fish and sea turtles enable unprecedented exploration of the aquatic environment. Modular robotic boats can self-assemble into bridges and platforms, demonstrating adaptive intelligence. More recently, she helped invent fluid neural networks, inspired by the elegantly simple neural system of a little worm. By designing algorithms that can run with just 19 neurons, Rus showed how machines can navigate complex environments with extraordinary efficiency.
When asked about her most influential work, Rus was clear that it was not about the metal robots, but about the students and researchers she was able to support and mentor. This statement reflects its deeper mission: not only to develop technology, but also to nurture the minds of the next generation.
“The most difficult problems in artificial intelligence and robotics,” he says, “require long-term thinking and dedication. A robot must not only perceive the world, but also understand it, decide how to act and navigate interactions with humans and other robots.
Award named after John Scott honors not only individual achievements, but also a place where scientific exploration meets compassionate innovation – as evidenced by previous great winners including Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, the Wright Brothers, Marie Curie, Guglielmo Marconi and 20 additional winners Nobel Prizes.