Friday, March 22, 2024
10:00am-12:00pm
RS208, Rosebrugh Building,
164 College St.
Pakpong Chirarattananon, University of Hong Kong
Research Seminar (40 Mins + Q&A 10 Mins): Miniature Aerial Robotics: Achieving Versatility, Efficiency, and Autonomy for Real-World Impact
Abstract: Advancing small aerial robots involves overcoming challenges in efficiency, versatility, and autonomy posed by miniaturization and resource constraints. My research embraces bio-inspired design principles and mechanical intelligence to push boundaries in what’s achievable. This talk will explore how bio-inspiration and a minimalist approach have led to significant advancements. I will discuss the development of revolving-wing drones that exemplify energy efficiency by imitating the flight mechanics of maple seeds, multirotors that demonstrate versatility through secondary modes of locomotion such as rolling and grasping without additional actuators, drones that perch to conserve power, and vision-less navigation techniques inspired by flying insects. Together, these biologically-motivated innovations enable miniature aerial vehicles to take on increasingly complex real-world tasks with limited payload capacity and power. My contributions help expand possibilities for autonomous flight at small scales.
Short Lecture (30 Mins + Q&A 10 Mins): State-space Representation of Multi Input – Multi Output (MIMO) Systems
A technical introduction to State-space representation of MIMO systems will be presented from a practical, applications- and design-oriented perspective.
Bio: Pakpong Chirarattananon is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at the City University of Hong Kong. He received his Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences from Harvard University in 2014 and B.A. in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge. His research is primarily centered on biologically-inspired robotic systems, micro aerial vehicles, and hybrid locomotion. Pakpong has developed a highly efficient revolving-wing drones, flapping-wing robots, and multimodal multirotors, with publications in prestigious journals such as Science, Nature, and Science Robotics. His approach involves the use of intelligent mechanisms to address the complexities of power, dynamics, and control, as he seeks to enhance the capabilities of small robotic devices through a deeper understanding of the synergy between mechanical design, actuation, dynamics, control strategies, and environmental conditions. Pakpong serves as an Associate Editor for the International Journal of Robotics Research (IJRR) and IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters (RA-L). His contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the 2021 IEEE Transactions on Robotics King-Sun Fu Memorial Best Paper Award.
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