View source for Raff D'Andrea, 12 October 2010

Raff D'Andrea from ETH will be visiting Caltech on 12 October 2010 (Tue).  Please sign up for a time to meet with him below.

=== Schedule ===

Tuesday (12 Oct 2010):
<blockquote>
{{agenda begin}}
{{agenda item|8:45a|Hold: John Doyle}}
{{agenda item|9:30a|Hold: John Doyle}}
{{agenda item|10:15a|Hold: John Doyle}}
{{agenda item|11:00a|Floris}}
{{agenda item|12:00p|IST Lunch Bunch, Annenberg}}
{{agenda item|1:30p|Ufuk}}
{{agenda item|2:15p|Nader}}
{{agenda item|3:00p|Meeting with RMM students}}
{{agenda item|4:15p|Hold: Ben Recht}}
{{agenda end}}
</blockquote>

=== Talk Abstract ===

'''Some Applications of Distributed Estimation and Control'''

Raff D'Andrea, ETHZ

In this talk I will discuss several applications of
distributed estimation and control:  Kiva Systems, a company
that uses hundreds of mobile robots to move inventory in
distribution facilities; the Balancing Cube, a structure that can 
balance on any one of its edges or corners using six rotating 
mechanisms on the cube's inner faces; the Distributed Flight Array, 
a flying platform consisting of multiple autonomous single propeller vehicles
that are able to drive, dock with their peers, and fly in a coordinated fashion; 
the Flying Machine Arena, a research-driven airspace where vehicles teach 
themselves -- and each other -- how to fly.

Raffaello D'Andrea is Professor of Dynamic Systems and Control
at ETH Zurich and Technical Co-Founder of Kiva Systems, a
company that develops adaptive and self-configuring warehouse
automation systems using hundreds of networked, mobile robots.
Also a creator of dynamic sculpture, he has shown his work at
international venues including the Venice Biennale, the
Luminato Festival, Ars Electronica, and ideaCity; two of his
pieces are in the permanent collection of the National Gallery
of Canada.