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Research Agenda

The Center for Automation, Robotics, and Distributed Intelligence has the following research agenda, as shown in the figure below. The three broad areas of robotics, automation, and distributed intelligence intersect in a variety of interdisciplinary projects.

Robotics, Automation, Distributed Intelligence

Focus areas include
 
CARDI research
can be found in
  • the theory of adaptive and nonlinear control
  • intelligent and learning control systems
  • system identification and fault detection
  • computer vision and image processing
  • wireless communication networks
  • intelligent autonomous robotic systems
  • machine learning and artificial intelligence
  • network communication protocols
  • simulation and modeling of computer networks
    		•   
  • renewable energy and power systems
  • materials processing
  • sensor and control networks
  • bio-engineering and medicine
  • data mining and activity recognition
  • defense and homeland security
  • smart structures
  • intelligent geo-systems
  • environmental monitoring

    • Research Activities

    Promote joint proposals and interdisciplinary research projects among members

    As per its mission, the center promotes a multi-disciplinary systems approach to integrate technologies. An example of a current multi-disciplinary project is SmartGeo. SmartGeo is designed to prepare a new generation of leaders in the development of intelligent geosystems - enabling engineered and natural earth structures and environments that sense their environment and adapt to improve performance. CARDI researchers involved in SmartGeo include Mike Mooney (civil), Tracy Camp (computer science), and Kevin Moore (electrical). The project successfully combines expertise from multiple disciplines.

    In 2005, a Tech Fee grant and CARDI funds were used to create a new sensor network testbed. The testbed includes 52 sensors that can sense temperature, humidity, ambient light, and photosynthetically active light. We use the lab to study wireless communication protocols and monitoring/tracking applications. Faculty currently working with the lab (or planning to work with the lab) are Tracy Camp, Qi Han, William Hoff, and Kevin Moore.

    Monthly meetings

    A CARDI meeting is held once a month, over lunch One of the purposes of the meetings is to make sure that members are aware of each other's research. We typically have one person provide a short, informal presentation of their research. This often leads to new ideas and joint proposals. We also discuss business issues, such as the use of the budget, center policies, and upcoming events. At the meetings we describe and introduce opportunities for collaboration. For example, we occasionally have guests from industry or other research groups that are interested in collaboration. In addition, we have an annual end-of-year luncheon with members, students, and guests where we celebrate our accomplishments and promote interaction.

    Sponsor colloquia series

    CARDI sponsors a colloquium at least once a semester. Occasionally we will bring in distinguished speakers, and these are advertised widely. We recently hosted a meeting of the AIAA Technical Committee on Space Automation and Robotics, where many distinguished speakers from JPL, NASA, Lockheed Martin, and other agencies gave talks on space robotics.

    Annual Open House and Research Fair

    This annual event highlights current research activities by faculty and graduate students associated with CARDI. Students whose advisor is a member of CARDI are eligible to present a poster during the Fair. All poster presenters also give a 5 minute "elevator speech" of their research. Printing costs are covered by CARDI, and $150 awards are given to two students (one for best poster and one for best presentation).

    Promote CSM and CARDI to visitors, industry, and funding agencies

    Promoting CSM and CARDI to visitors, industry, and funding agencies is an important goal of our agenda. This is important to make potential sponsors aware of our capabilities, recruit graduate students, and raise the reputation of faculty members (especially untenured professors). To achieve these goals, we bring in speakers, maintain a website, host visitors from industry, and organize a CARDI research fair. CARDI also hosts visiting scholars, attracted by our reputation and multidisciplinary research activities.

    Colorado School of Mines