RI Seminar
Lining Yao
Assistant Professor
Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII), Carnegie Mellon University

Robotic Morphing Matter

1305 Newell Simon Hall

Abstract: Morphing matter harnesses the programmability in material structures and compositions to achieve transformative behaviors and integrates sensing, actuation, and computation to create adaptive and responsive material systems. These material systems can be leveraged to design soft robots, self-assembling furniture,  adaptive fabrics, and self-folding foods. In this talk, Lining presents the recent works in the [...]

RI Seminar
Robert J. Wood
Professor
School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard

The Mechanical Side of Artificial Intelligence

1305 Newell Simon Hall

Abstract: Artificial Intelligence typically focuses on perception, learning, and control methods to enable autonomous robots to make and act on decisions in real environments. On the contrary, our research is focused on the design, mechanics, materials, and manufacturing of novel robot platforms that make the perception, control, or action easier or more robust for natural, unstructured, and [...]

RI Seminar
Tim Bretl
Associate Professor
Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Three surprises and a story of prison education

1305 Newell Simon Hall

Abstract: I will talk about three results that surprised me. First, I will show that the free configuration space of an elastic wire is path-connected, a result that makes easy a manipulation planning problem that was thought to be hard. Second, I will show a linear relationship between stimulation parameters, skin impedance, and sensation intensity [...]

Field Robotics Center Seminar
Robotics Institute,
Carnegie Mellon University

Toward intuitive human controlled MAVs: motion primitives based teleoperation

GHC 6501

Abstract: Humans excel at composing high-level plans that achieve a complex, multimodal objective; however, achieving proficiency in teleoperating multi-rotor aerial vehicles (MAVs) in unstructured environments with stability and safety requires significant skill and training. In this talk, we present human-in-the-loop control of a MAV via teleoperation using motion primitives that addresses these concerns. We show [...]

RI Seminar
Andrea Thomaz
Associate Professor
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin

Robots Learning from Human Teachers

1305 Newell Simon Hall

Abstract: In this talk I will cover some of the recent work out of the Socially Intelligent Machines Lab at UT Austin (http://sim.ece.utexas.edu/research.html). The vision of our research is to enable robots to function in dynamic human environments by allowing them to flexibly adapt their skill set via learning interactions with end-users. We explore the ways in which [...]

Field Robotics Center Seminar
Robotics Institute,
Carnegie Mellon University

Improving Multirotor Trajectory Tracking Performance using Learned Dynamics Models

3305 Newell-Simon Hall

Abstract: Multirotors and other aerial vehicles have recently seen a surge in popularity, partly due to a rise in industrial applications such as inspection, surveillance, exploration, package delivery, cinematography, and others. Crucial to multirotors' successes in these applications, and enabling their suitability for other applications, is the ability to accurately track trajectories at high speed [...]

Field Robotics Center Seminar
Robotics Institute,
Carnegie Mellon University

Automatic Real-time Anomaly Detection for Autonomous Aerial Vehicles

3305 Newell-Simon Hall

Abstract: The recent incidents with Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft have raised concerns about the safety and reliability of autopilots and autonomous operations. There is a growing need for methods to monitor the status of aircraft and report any faults and anomalies to the human pilot or to the autopilot to deal with the emergency [...]