Dr. Kevin Moore

Abstract: In this talk we give perspectives on the problem of devising autonomous systems by describing several threads of research from the speaker’s experience. After a brief introduction to the past and present of robotics at the Colorado School of Mines, we begin showing how a control-theoretic point of view can be exploited to develop single-entity autonomous systems, such as mobile robots and autonomous systems that can be considered “intelligent.” We emphasize a system engineering view on the conceptual design and integration of (a) the components used in unmanned systems, including the locomotion, sensors, and computing systems needed to provide inherent autonomy capability, and (b) the algorithms and architectures needed to enable control and autonomy, including path-tracking control and high-level planning strategies. We then consider the use of multiple autonomous systems that cooperate to achieve a collective goal, primarily via the theoretical notion of “consensus.” Throughout the talk concepts are illustrated using case study examples from robotic and unmanned systems developed by the author and his colleagues over the past 20 years. Further, throughout the talk we provide comments on research that may be helpful to students and professional practitioners, emphasizing the importance of connections between what at times might seem to be disparate research areas that come together to enable advances.

Biography:

Dr. Kevin L. Moore is a professor at the Colorado School of Mines in the Division of Engineering, Design, and Society and the Department of Electrical Engineering. He received his B.S and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Louisiana State University in 1982 and from the University of Southern California in 1983 respectively. He received his Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering, with an emphasis in control theory, from Texas A&M University in 1989. At Mines he was previously the Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Dean of Integrative Programs (2018-2020) and the Interim Director of Mines’ Division of Economics and Business (2019). He was previously Dean of the College of Engineering and Computational Sciences (2011-2018), overseeing programs in civil, electrical, environmental, and mechanical engineering, as well as applied mathematics, statistics, and computer science. He held the G.A. Dobelman Distinguished Chair from 2005-2013. Prior to his time at Mines, he held faculty and leadership positions at Utah State University and Idaho State University. He has industry experience via consulting and as a Member of the Technical Staff at the former Hughes Aircraft Company.

Dr. Moore’s general interests are in the area of control systems, intelligent control theory, and autonomous systems. He is the author of the research monograph Iterative Learning Control for Deterministic Systems, published in 1993 by Springer-Verlag. He was a USU College of Engineering and ECE Department Researcher of the Year in 1999-2000, ISU Outstanding Researcher of the Year in 1996-1997, and received the 1993 DOW Outstanding Young Faculty Award from the Pacific Northwest Section of the American Society for Engineering Education. He is currently an ABET Program Evaluator representing ASEE and IEEE.

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