At the SMART Lab, we conduct pioneering research that bridges fundamental and applied robotics, combining theoretical foundations with practical engineering solutions to address real-world challenges. Our current research focuses on three primary domains: Human-Robot Interaction, Robot Learning, and Multi-Robot Systems. Our recent research has been the development of advanced algorithms and systems that enable multiple robots and humans to collaborate efficiently as a multi-human-multi-robot team in large-scale, high-stakes scenarios. We have also investigated how learning methods can enable robots to flexibly interact with any humans in any situation, anywhere. We are also at the forefront of integrating emerging technologies, exploring how generative AI, including large language models (LLM) and visual language models (VLM), can enhance robot learning and reasoning capabilities. Our research spans multiple projects and collaborations. To learn more about our specific projects and research, please visit the links on the left of this page and our publication section.
For practical demonstrations and open-source resources, please visit our YouTube channel and GitHub repositories by clicking the logos below! These platforms showcase our work through demo videos and provide access to our implementation code.
Current Funded Projects in the SMART Lab are:
Enabling Next-Generation HyFlex
Field Laboratories through an Innovative Leaner-In-The-Loop
Multi-Robot System, Role: Co-PI (PI: Jin Wei-Kocsis),
Sponsor: National Science Foundation, Amount: $900,000
(09/01/2024 - 08/31/2027). (Link)
Development of Reliable, Secure,
and Safe Human-AI Alignment Techniques, Role: PI, Sponsor:
Sungkyunkwan University, Amount: $29,226 (04/01/2024 -
12/31/2026).
Center of Operation and Research
for Industrial Advancement (CORIA) at Purdue as one of the
Global Industrial Technology Cooperation Center (GITCC) of
KIAT, Role: Co-PI (PI: Martin Byung-Guk Jun), Sponsor: Korea
Institute for Advancement of Technology, Amount: $1,815,000
(05/01/2024 - 04/30/2029).
- 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 -
05/31/2025). (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 - 08/31/2025). (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).