Research in robotics has grown significantly to meet the potential demand and several sectors
have been investigated as potential areas for robotic application. Many applications could benefit
from adopting the robotics technology: situations involving hazardous environments to reduce danger
to human life; performing repetitive and menial tasks; performing tasks which would otherwise be
impossible; improving the quality of life of citizens and society as a whole; protecting the environment.
The proposed research program will address a few issues with robotics, sensing, perception, and navigation.
We will focus on: (1) the development of multi-sensor fusion algorithms that allow a robot to obtain
knowledge of its local environment from information provided by a variety of sensors, (2) the development
of novel autonomous navigation schemes for a robot to track a trajectory with collision avoidance.
The proposed two-year research program will investigate fundamental issues in intelligent sensor
fusion and collision-free navigation for Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs). We will integrate sensor
information to model the real-world by developing algorithms for recreating the structure of the environment.
We will conduct research on autonomous vehicles to sense the environment, map the environment, plan routes
and execute maneuvers. To accomplish this, we will implement real-time, physics-based software simulation
capabilities. This will provide a means to create an awareness of the environment on board UGVs. The
research will focus on the development and integration of sensing, environment modeling, mapping,
and control algorithm modules.