Robotics and automation

The robotics and automation area of the AUT Smart Systems Materials and Manufacturing Research Centre focuses on research into system modelling, state estimation, sensing and control of various mechatronic, robotic and biomedical systems.

Current research projects

• Energy-optimal control scheme for mobile robotic platforms in offshore aquaculture, funded by the Blue Economy CRC (Australia)
• Scoping study on autonomous marine systems at offshore aquaculture and energy sites, funded by the Blue Economy CRC (Australia)
• Data driven asphalt road density measurement system, funded by Callaghan Innovation and Fulton Hogan (New Zealand)
• Road texture depth (RTD) measurement system, funded by Callaghan Innovation and Fulton Hogan (New Zealand)
• Localisation of mobile robots for precision manufacturing
• Stability control of robotic wheelchairs
• Feasibility study of the separation of aluminium from coffee waste

Facilities

• An ABB industrial robot (IRB 2600)
• A Baxter intelligent robot
• Multiple UAVs (AscTec Pelican) and testing stands
• A QUANSER inverted pendulum system
• A FEEDBACK twin rotor MIMO system