PhD Speaking Qualifier
Robotics Institute,
Carnegie Mellon University

Scaling up Self Supervised Robot Learning

Newell Simon Hall 1507

Abstract Robot learning holds promise in alleviating several real world problems, by performing complex behaviors in complex environments. But what is the right way to train these robots? Our methods on self supervision shows encouraging results on several tasks like grasping objects, pushing objects and even flying drones. One key challenge with these methods is [...]

PhD Thesis Defense
Robotics Institute,
Carnegie Mellon University

Planning for a Small Team of Heterogeneous Robots: from Collaborative Exploration to Collaborative Localization

GHC 6501

Abstract: Robots have become increasingly adept at performing a wide variety of tasks in the world. However, many of these tasks can benefit tremendously from having more than a single robot simultaneously working on the problem. Multiple robots can aid in a search and rescue mission each scouting a subsection of the entire area in [...]

PhD Speaking Qualifier
Robotics Institute,
Carnegie Mellon University

Data Collection for Screwdriving

Gates Hillman Center 4405

Abstract: As the use of robotic manipulation in manufacturing continues to increase, the robustness requirements for fastening operations such as screwdriving increase as well. To investigate the reliability of screwdriving and the diverse failure categories that can arise, we collected a dataset of screwdriving operations and manually classified them into stages and result categories. I [...]

PhD Thesis Proposal
Robotics Institute,
Carnegie Mellon University

Visual Learning without Exhaustive Supervision

Newell-Simon Hall 3305

Abstract Machine learning models have led to remarkable progress in visual recognition. A key driving factor for this progress is the abundance of labeled data. Over the years, researchers have spent a lot of effort curating visual data and carefully labeling it. However, moving forward, it seems impossible to annotate the vast amounts of visual [...]

PhD Thesis Proposal
Robotics Institute,
Carnegie Mellon University

Learning with Clusters

Gates Hillman Center 4405

Abstract As machine learning becomes more ubiquitous, clustering has evolved from primarily a data analysis tool into an integrated component of complex machine learning systems, including those involving dimensionality reduction, anomaly detection, network analysis, image segmentation and classifying groups of data. With this integration into multi-stage systems comes a need to better understand interactions between [...]

PhD Thesis Proposal
Robotics Institute,
Carnegie Mellon University

Intra-Robot Replanning and Learning for Multi-Robot Teams in Complex Dynamic Domains

Abstract: In complex dynamic multi-robot domains, we have a set of individual robots that must coordinate together through a team planner that inevitably makes assumptions based on probabilities about the state of world and the actions of the individuals. Eventually, the individuals may encounter failures, because the team planner’s models of the states and actions [...]

PhD Thesis Proposal
Robotics Institute,
Carnegie Mellon University

Automated Collaborations Among Neighborhood-based Search Heuristics

Newell Simon Hall 1507

Abstract: For this thesis, we propose to study how to automatically combine multiple neighborhood-based heuristics. For most computationally challenging problems, there exists multiple heuristics, and it is generally the case that any such heuristic exploits only a limited number of aspects among all the possible problem characteristics that we can think of. As a result, [...]

PhD Thesis Proposal
Robotics Institute,
Carnegie Mellon University

Computational Design Tools for Accessible Robotics

Newell-Simon Hall 1305

Abstract: A grand vision in robotics is that of a future wherein robots are integrated in daily human life just as smart phones are today. Such pervasive integration of robots would greatly benefit from faster design and manufacturing of robots that cater to individual needs. However, robots of today often take years to be created [...]

PhD Speaking Qualifier
Robotics Institute,
Carnegie Mellon University

Predictive Corrective Networks for Action Detection

GHC 4303

Abstract: Although computer vision has seen significant advances in static image analysis, the relatively slow advances in video tasks such as action detection suggest we're struggling to build effective temporal models. In this talk, I will present a few main ideas that drive contemporary approaches, such as "two-stream networks" and "3D" convolutional networks. I'll also [...]

PhD Thesis Proposal
Robotics Institute,
Carnegie Mellon University

Soft-Matter Robotic Materials

GHC 8102

Abstract: Soft machines and electronics are key components for emerging applications in wearable biomonitoring, human-machine interaction, and soft robotics. In contrast to conventional machines and electronics, soft-matter technologies provide a method for replicating these traditionally rigid devices using intrinsically soft materials that exhibit properties similar to soft biological tissue. This provides a path forward for [...]