Title: Flying Efficiently in Uncertain Environments Via Online Learning

By Dr. John J. Bird

Assistant Professor Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas El Paso

ABSTRACT: The complexity of the atmospheric environment presents significant uncertainty to aircraft operations. Emerging aircraft systems such as electric aircraft, drones and advanced air mobility do not have the energy and mass reserves to carry the equipment that has enabled legacy aircraft systems to handle this uncertainty. Online learning of the environmental state offers a solution, enabling the aircraft system to reduce uncertainty and formulate safe and efficient flight plans. The uncertain but physically governed dynamics of the aircraft and its environment also offer a compelling laboratory for the development and testing of algorithms for rapid learning using in situ observation and computation.

BIO: John Bird is an assistant professor in the department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso. His research interests include autonomy in dynamic and uncertain environments, autonomous scientific platforms, rapid online learning, and field testing of autonomous systems. He has been involved in the development and testing of a range of autonomous aircraft including very long range small UAS, autonomous sailplanes which stay aloft on updrafts, and aircraft systems for targeted weather modification and severe storms research.

October 1, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Attend in person in JH-109

If you are interested in visiting our department and giving a seminar lecture, please send an e-mail to Dr. Andreas Gross.