CMU talk: Human-Robot Systems for Planetary Exploration

Title: Human-Robot Systems for Planetary Exploration

Speaker: Salvatore Domenick Desiano, Research Scientist, Intelligent Systems Division (QSS Group, Inc), NASA Ames Research Center

Date: Thursday, December 1

Abstract:
Planetary robots will be used in many contexts -- Martian and Lunar, alone and with humans, for construction and for scientific exploration, to name a few. The Intelligent Robotics Group at the NASA Ames Research Center develops cross-cutting capabilities that enable robots to perform autonomously in all of these situations.

In this talk, I will focus on the results of the Collaborative Design Systems FY05 demonstration, performed in September. This was the largest demonstration of integrated robotic systems ever carried out at NASA Ames. The demonstration included visual target tracking, autonomous multi-SCIP (Single Cycle Instrument Placement), constraint-based temporal planning, human-robot collaboration, spoken dialog interfaces, multi-agent systems, and 3D visualization tools.

In addition to the results of this specific demonstration, I will briefly present some of the open research problems on which our group is interested in working or collaborating. I will also provide some inside perspective on the current state of NASA's robotics programs and funding sources.

Speaker Bio:
Salvatore Domenick Desiano is a robotics research scientist at the NASA Ames Research Center. As a member of the Intelligent Robotics Group, he leads the K-9 Rover Team of the CDS project, the most elaborate combination of human and robot planetary exploration ever demonstrated at NASA Ames. His research focuses on developing fundamental navigation capabilities for mobile robots, and he works extensively with the NASA Office of Education. He has also served as the Integration Lead for the Personal Satellite Assistant project. Salvatore is currently on leave from being a doctoral candidate at the Robotics Institute and will be returning to the program early 2006.