Student Talks
Calendar of Events
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MSR Thesis Defense
Model Predictive Control on Resource-Constrained Robots
Abstract: Model predictive control (MPC) is a powerful tool for controlling highly dynamic robotic systems subject to complex constraints. However, it is computationally expensive and often requires a large memory footprint. Larger robotic systems are capable of carrying and powering sophisticated computational hardware onboard. On the other hand, smaller robots typically have faster dynamics that […]
MSR Thesis Defense
Enhancing Bipedal Locomotion With Reaction Wheels
Abstract: Legged robot hardware has become more accessible in the last ten years. However, there is still a dearth of low-cost hardware platforms that are open-source and easy to build. With recent developments in accessible manufacturing methods, such as 3D printing, it has become possible to design and manufacture parts without relying on precision machining. […]
1 event,
MSR Thesis Defense
Building Micron: The Next Handheld Manipulator for Microsurgery
Abstract: Robotic assistance is used today in a variety of surgeries as a means of precise, dexterous, and minimally-invasive manipulation. However, practical use in microsurgical environments such as vitreoretinal surgery remains a challenge for the most common mechanically-grounded robotic platforms. Microsurgery requires micron-level accuracy and the ability to manipulate with interaction forces in millinewtons. Vitreoretinal […]
2 events,
MSR Thesis Defense
Towards Estimation, Modeling, and Control of Mixed Material Flows on Variable-Speed Conveyor Belt Systems with Applications in Recycling
Abstract: Whether it is in sorting defects from grain in an agricultural setting, ore from tailings in a mine, or letters in a postal system, the sorting of bulk material has long been a crucial aspect of human industry. Today, in the face of dwindling natural resource deposits and accelerating climate change, a particularly important […]
MSR Thesis Defense
Expressive Attentional Communication Learning using Graph Neural Networks
Abstract: Multi-agent reinforcement learning presents unique hurdles such as the non-stationary problem beyond single-agent reinforcement learning that makes learning effective decentralized cooperative policies using an agent's local state extremely challenging. Effective communication to share information and coordinate is vital for agents to work together and solve cooperative tasks, as the ubiquitous evidence of communication in […]
1 event,
MSR Thesis Defense
Estimating Object Importance and Modeling Driver’s Situational Awareness for Intelligent Driving
Abstract: The ability to identify important objects in a complex and dynamic driving environment can help assistive driving systems alert drivers. These assistance systems also require a model of the drivers' situational awareness (SA) (what aspects of the scene they are already aware of) to avoid unnecessary alerts. This thesis builds towards such intelligent driving [...]
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2 events,
MSR Thesis Defense
Learning for Perception and Strategy: Adaptive Omnidirectional Stereo Vision and Tactical Reinforcement Learning
Abstract: Multi-view stereo omnidirectional distance estimation usually needs to build a cost volume with many hypothetical distance candidates. The cost volume building process is often computationally heavy considering the limited resources a mobile robot has. We propose a new geometry-informed way of distance candidates selection method which enables the use of a very small number [...]
MSR Thesis Defense
Online-Adaptive Self-Supervised Learning with Visual Foundation Models for Autonomous Off-Road Driving
Abstract: Autonomous robot navigation in off-road environments currently presents a number of challenges. The lack of structure makes it difficult to handcraft geometry-based heuristics that are robust to the diverse set of scenarios the robot might encounter. Many of the learned methods that work well in urban scenarios require massive amounts of hand-labeled data, but [...]
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1 event,
PhD Thesis Proposal
Multimodal Representations for Adaptable Robot Policies in Human-Inhabited Spaces
Abstract: Human beings sense and express themselves through multiple modalities. To capture multimodal ways of human communication, I want to build adaptable robot policies that infer task pragmatics from video and language prompts, reason about sounds and other sensors, take actions, and learn mannerisms of interacting with people and objects. Existing solutions for robot policies [...]
1 event,
PhD Thesis Defense
Interleaving Discrete Search and Continuous Optimization for Kinodynamic Motion Planning
Abstract: Motion planning for dynamically complex robotic tasks requires explicit reasoning within constraints on velocity, acceleration, force/torque, and kinematics such as avoiding obstacles. To meet these constraints, planning algorithms must simultaneously make high-level discrete decisions and low-level continuous decisions. For example, pushing a heavy object involves making discrete decisions about contact locations and continuous decisions [...]
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1 event,
PhD Thesis Defense
Goal-Expressive Movement for Social Navigation: Where and When to Behave Legibly
Abstract: Robots often need to communicate their navigation goals to assist observers in anticipating the robot's future actions. Enabling observers to infer where a robot is going from its movements is particularly important as robots begin to share workplaces, sidewalks, and social spaces with humans. We can use legible motion, or movements that use intentional [...]
1 event,
PhD Thesis Defense
Eye Gaze for Intelligent Driving
Abstract: Intelligent vehicles have been proposed as one path to increasing traffic safety and reducing on-road crashes. Driving “intelligence” today takes many forms, ranging from simple blind spot occupancy or forward collision warnings to distance-aware cruise and all the way to full driving autonomy in certain situations. Primarily, these methods are outward-facing and operate on [...]
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2 events,
PhD Thesis Defense
Learning to Perceive and Predict Everyday Interactions
Abstract: This thesis aims to build computer systems to understand everyday hand-object interactions in the physical world – both perceiving ongoing interactions in 3D space and predicting possible interactions. This ability is crucial for applications such as virtual reality, robotic manipulations, and augmented reality. The problem is inherently ill-posed due to the challenges of one-to-many [...]
PhD Thesis Proposal
Sensorized Soft Material Systems with Integrated Electronics and Computing
Abstract: The integration of soft and multifunctional materials in emerging technologies is becoming more widespread due to their ability to enhance or improve functionality in ways not possible using typical rigid alternatives. This trend is evident in various fields. For example, wearable technologies are increasingly designed using soft materials to improve modulus compatibility with biological [...]
1 event,
PhD Thesis Defense
Deep Learning for Tactile Sensing: Development to Deployment
Abstract: The role of sensing is widely acknowledged for robots interacting with the physical environment. However, few contemporary sensors have gained widespread use among roboticists. This thesis proposes a framework for incorporating sensors into a robot learning paradigm, from development to deployment, through the lens of ReSkin -- a versatile and scalable magnetic tactile sensor. [...]
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1 event,
PhD Thesis Defense
Learning and Translating Temporal Abstractions of Behaviour across Humans and Robots
Abstract: Humans are remarkably adept at learning to perform tasks by imitating other people demonstrating these tasks. Key to this is our ability to reason abstractly about the high-level strategy of the task at hand (such as the recipe of cooking a dish) and the behaviours needed to solve this task (such as the behaviour […]