Research Overview

At the SMART Lab, we conduct both basic and applied research on robotics with regard to its scientific and engineering aspects, and combine practical and theoretical approaches to solve real-world problems. Our research topics include Multi-Robot Systems, Human-Robot Interaction, Robot Learning, and Robot Design & Control. We focus on design, planning, control, and algorithms in these areas, and apply them to field robotics and to assistive technology and robotics. Recently, we have been working  on developing algorithms and systems that allow multiple robots to collaborate with each other in a distributed way and to work with humans as a multi-human-multi-robot team. We have also studied how learning methods can enable robots to flexibly interact with any humans, in any situation, anywhere. To learn more about our specific projects and research, please visit the links on the left of this page and our publication section.

Our YouTube channel and GitHub repositories offer additional information about our past and current projects, including demo videos and programming codes. To access these resources, click the logos below!    


Current Funded Projects in the SMART Lab are:

FW-HTF-P: Interactive Multi-Human Multi-Remote-Robot Operations for the Future of Construction Work, Role: Co-PI (PI: Jin Wei-Kocsis), Sponsor: National Science Foundation, Amount: $150,000 (10/01/2022 - 05/31/2024). (Link)

CAREER: Adaptive Human Multi-robot Systems, Role: PI, Sponsor: National Science Foundation, Amount: $500,000 (02/15/2019 - 01/31/2025). (Link)

PFI-RP: Partnerships for Innovation in Interoperable Building Information Modeling Technology for Applications in Automated Building Code Compliance Checking and Modular Construction Automation, Role: Co-PI (PI: Jiansong Zhang), Sponsor: National Science Foundation, Amount: $1,108,003 (09/15/2018 - 08/31/2024). (Link)


Past Funded Projects are:

CPS: Medium: Collaborative Research: Closed Loop Sustainable Precision Animal Agriculture, Role: Co-PI (PI: Richard Voyles), Sponsor: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Amount: $541,448 (09/01/2018 - 08/31/2023). (Link)

I/UCRC Phase I: Robots and Sensors for the Human Well-being, Role: Senior Personnel (PI: Richard Voyles), Sponsor: National Science Foundation, Amount: $637,202 (09/15/2014 - 08/31/2022). (Link)

Detecting Humans’ Adaptive Behavior Using Deep Learning Application to Provide Active Thermal Comfort Controls in Occupancy Spaces, Role: Co-PI (PI: Kyubyung Kang), Sponsor: Polytechnic Institute, Amount: $8,000 (11/04/2021 - 06/30/2022).

2021-22 COVID-19 Research Disruption Fund, Role: PI, Sponsor: Purdue University, Amount: $25,000 (10/05/2021 - 04/30/2022).

UNSA NEXUS: Robotic Water Quality Monitoring and Distribution Systems: A Pilot Study, Role: PI, Sponsor: Universidad Nacional de San Agustin, Amount: $365,439 (01/01/2018 - 02/15/2022). (Link)

Cybersecurity and Safety Challenges in Autonomous Vehicles: Threats Identification and Countermeasures Development, Role: PI, Sponsor: National Institute of Justice, Amount: $147,131 (08/01/2017 - 8/31/2021).

PRF Research Grants: Human-Delivery Robot Social Interaction for Last-mile Delivery, Role: PI, Sponsor: Purdue University, Amount: $31,119 (05/10/2020 - 09/15/2021).

Wheeled Mobile Parallel Robots with Hybrid Moving and Manipulation Functions, Role: Co-PI (PI: Dongming Gan), Sponsor: Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Amount: $8,000 (08/01/2020 - 06/30/2021).

Reconfigurable Cyber-Physical Simulators for Multi-Robot Systems, Role: PI, Sponsor: Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Amount: $8,000 (08/01/2020 - 06/30/2021).

Workshop to Explore US/Korean Collaboration in Human-Friendly Co-Robotic Technologies, Role: Co-PI (PI: Richard Voyles), Sponsor: National Science Foundation, Amount: $14,980 (09/01/2017 - 03/31/2020). (Link)

PRF Research Grants: Towards Autonomous Robotic Systems for Control of Harmful Algae Blooms, Role: PI, Sponsor: Purdue University, Amount: $30,144 (05/10/2018 - 09/14/2019).

18-19 Laboratory and University Core Facility Research Equipment Program: Acquisition of a Modular Robotic Walkway for Development and Testing of Soft Assistive Exoskeletons, Role: Co-PI (PI: Richard Voyles), Sponsor: Purdue University, Amount: $169,845 (01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019).

Mobile Crowd Sensing for Sustainability Challenges: A Behavioral Approach to Inducing User Participation, Role: Co-PI (PI: David J. Yu), Sponsor: Purdue Center for the Environment, Amount: $15,000 (06/01/2018 - 06/30/2019).

Distributed Multi-robot Systems for Autonomous Construction, Role: PI, Sponsor: Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Amount: $8,000 (11/01/2018 - 06/30/2019).

Developing Crancobots to Support Automated Construction of Buildings, Role: Co-PI (PI: Jiansong Zhang), Sponsor: Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Amount: $8,000 (11/01/2018 - 06/30/2019).

17-18 Laboratory and University Core Facility Research Equipment Program: Acquisition of Multiple Mobile Robot Platforms, Role: PI, Sponsor: Purdue University, Amount: $83,500 (01/01/2018 - 12/31/2018). (Link)

Drone-based Visual Inspection for Airplane, Role: PI, Sponsor: Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Amount: $8,000 (04/01/2018 - 06/30/2018).

Collaborative Interdisciplinary Machine Learning Research Infrastructure, Role: Co-PI (PI: Vetria Byrd), Sponsor: Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Amount: $8,000 (04/01/2018 - 06/30/2018).

Purdue Research Foundation (PRF) Summer Faculty Research Grant, Role: PI, Sponsor: Purdue University, Amount: $8,000 (06/01/2017 - 07/31/2017).

Provost Major Equipment Grant: Bi-Manual Dexterous Manipulation for Intuitive Autonomy, Role: Co-PI (PI: Richard Voyles), Sponsor: Purdue University, Amount: $144,732 (07/01/2016 - 06/31/2017).

Sejong-Purdue Program 2016, Role: Co-PI (PI: Eric T. Matson), Sponsor: Sejong University, Korea, Amount: $89,998 (05/01/2016 - 12/31/2016).

KyungPook National-IITP-Purdue Summer Software Program, Role: Co-PI (PI: Eric T. Matson), Sponsor: Kyungpook National University, Korea, Amount: $45,426 (05/01/2016 - 12/31/2016).