Café Scientifique on Mon., March 2
Presenter:
Darrin Bentivegna, PhD
Senior Robotics Engineer
Near Earth Autonomy
Café Sci: The Technology of Making Autonomous Flying Vehicles a Reality
Long thought of as pure science-fiction, autonomous flying vehicles are becoming a reality. But what innovative technologies are making this breakthrough possible? Discover why autonomy is essential and how it functions. Learn about LIDAR, 3D mapping, point clouds, localization, SLAM, obstacle detection, landing zone evaluation, and how they are powering the biggest leap forward since the industrial revolution. Watch real-world examples of how autonomous aerial vehicles are transforming inspection activities and creating the safe, efficient, and fast transportation and delivery systems of tomorrow.
Darrin Bentivegna, PhD, has dedicated his career to solving real-world problems with innovative robotic technologies. Darrin is proud to lead autonomous inspection at Near Earth Autonomy. His past experience includes extensive work with Disney R&D, Honda Research, Carnegie Mellon University, Seegrid, and the US Navy.
He received his PhD in Computer Science from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2004. He received the MS degree in Space Systems from Florida Institute of Technology in 1995 and a BS degree in Vocational Education from Valdosta State University in 1986. His past research includes methods that give robots the ability to learn movement skills and strategies from observing humans, provides them the ability to increase performance through practice and explores control methods that give robots human-like motion.
Darrin has an interest in many areas of humanoid, industrial, commercial, and entertainment robotics such as intelligent control, computer vision, and machine learning. He is also skilled in many areas of computer science such as 3D animation, creating interfaces, and programming embedded controllers.
About Near Earth Autonomy: Near Earth Autonomy is a Carnegie Mellon spin-off on a mission to make flight safe, efficient, and accessible. Near Earth develops comprehensive solutions that enable un-crewed aircraft to operate safely in all-weather conditions and in dynamic, unprepared environments. Near Earth bridges the gap between aerospace and robotics with complete systems that improve efficiency, performance, and safety for aircraft ranging from small drones to full-size helicopters. Near Earth’s technology was selected as a 2017 finalist for the Robert J. Collier Trophy, and won the 2018 Howard Hughes Award, which recognizes outstanding improvements in helicopter technology. They are proudly headquartered in Pittsburgh’s East End and are actively expanding and hiring.