Raj Reddy is one of the world's leading experts on robotics and artificial intelligence. The director from 1979 to 1992 of the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Reddy was responsible for the operation of thirteen laboratories and three program centers, and oversaw the research performed at the institute on numerous topics related to computer-integrated manufacturing and robotics design. He is currently the dean of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University.

Dabblal Rajagopal Reddy was born on June 13, 1937, in Katoor, India, near Madras. His father, Srdenivasulu Reddy, was an agricultural landlord and his mother, Pitchamma, was a homemaker. His interest in civil engineering led him to study at the University of Madras College of Engineering, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1958. Soon after finishing his undergraduate work in India, Reddy moved to Australia, calling it home for a number of years. While in Australia, Reddy worked...