One of ARCAA’s objectives is to support PhD and Masters students through the provision of a unique research environment and high quality research supervision. Students studying at ARCAA complete their degree through the relevant Queensland University of Technology postgraduate research program. Copies of the QUT postgraduate student prospectus can be downloaded here.
General information on becoming a postgraduate research student with QUT can be found on the QUT Postgraduate Degree website or contact us for more information.
Research Supervision
Research supervision is provided by ARCAA’s academic and research team. This can include primary or co-supervision from members of the CSIRO ICT-Centre, Automated Systems Laboratory.
Scholarships
Students are generally supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award (or similar scholarship) which, depending on the student and project, can be supplemented by a QUT or ARCAA top-up scholarship. International students are also encouraged to apply, however scholarships can vary depending on origin country. QUT also has student-exchange agreements in place with a number of Universities around the world. For more information on domestic and international scholarships please visit QUT HDR Scholarships Webpage or Contact Us.
Research Areas and Applications
Below is a list of the ARCAA Academics and Researchers and their individual research interests and areas of application. Prospective students should use this information as a guide to the current research areas of interest to ARCAA. Please note, the listed topics are a guide only. ARCAA conducts research in a broad range of fields and is always keen to grow its capabilities in new areas. If you would like more information on a particular research topic then please contact the respective ARCAA staff member.
ARCAA Academic Staff
Associate Professor Duncan Campbell
Research areas of interest:
Real-time embedded systems, decision making, mission planning, reactive path planning, human machine interaction, and more.
Application areas:
Areas related to mission management, multi-UAV command, interactive devices, decision aid tools, and more.
Publications:
Find a list of some of Duncan’s publications on QUT ePrints
Notes:
Collaboration opportunities in Europe.
Contact:
Dr Jason J. Ford
Research areas of interest:
Aerospace Control, signal processing, image processing, stochastic control, system identification, and more.
Application areas:
Areas related to airborne infrastructure inspection (FAS and CRC-SI Projects), airborne collision avoidance, aircraft target detection (Vision-based Collision Avoidance Project), and more.
Publications:
Find a list of some of Jason’s publications on QUT ePrints
Notes:
Jason is currently supervising five PhD students with two recent completions.
Contact:
Dr Felipe Gonzalez
Research areas of interest:
Multidisciplinary Design Optimisation, Evolutionary algorithms, mission path planning, aerospace design and control.
Application areas:
UAS for search and rescue, plant biosecurity (CRC-NPB), airborne based infrastructure inspection (CRC-SI Project), UAS in civil airspace (Smart Skies Project) and solar powered UAS (Green Falcon UAV Project).
Publications:
Find a list of some of Felipe’s publications on QUT ePrints
Notes:
PhD projects available in all areas of interest listed above.
Contact:
Dr Luis Mejias
Research areas of interest:
Aerospace guidance and control, image processing, visual servoing, and more.
Application areas:
Areas related to airborne collision avoidance, aircraft target detection (Vision-based Collision Avoidance Project), marine mammal identification, and more.
Publications:
Find a list of some of Luis’ publications on QUT ePrints
Notes:
In addition to new topics in the above listed areas, Luis has identified two particular research topics for prospective students:
- Object Range Estimation in Dynamic Visibility Conditions using Atmospheric Propagation Models (more info here)
- Bio-Inspired Perception and Guidance for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (more info here)
Contact:
Dr Reece Clothier
Research areas of interest:
Complex systems modelling, risk modelling and simulation, theoretical risk concepts, risk perception, communication and decision making.
Application areas:
Regulation of civil Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), aviation risk management and regulation, safety-critical systems.
Publications:
Find a list of some of Reece’s publications on QUT ePrints
Notes:
PhD research projects available in:
- Modelling and evaluation of the risks due to autonomous aircraft operations
- Quantification of risk objectives and risk measures
Contact:
ARCAA Research Staff
Dr Stefan Hrabar
Research areas of interest:
Computer vision, path planning, obstacle avoidance, 3D mapping.
Application areas:
Areas related to airborne infrastructure inspection and airborne collision avoidance.
Publications:
Find a list of Stefan’s publications here.
Contact:
Dr Farid Kendoul
Research areas of interest:
Bio-inspired navigation, 3D perception, guidance and control, real-time computer vision, and more.
Application areas:
Obstacle field navigation, autonomous flight of rotorcraft in cluttered environments, non-GPS navigation of UAS, infrastructure inspection, and more.
Publications:
Find a list of Farid’s publications here.
Notes:
In addition to the general research topics listed above, Farid has identified two particular research topics for prospective students:
- Aerial Terrain Relative Navigation for Pinpoint and Safe Landing of Unmanned Aircraft (more info here)
- Bio-Inspired Perception and Guidance for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (more info here)
Contact:
Dr Torsten Merz
Research areas of interest:
- Field robotics (focus on unmanned helicopters)
- Artificial intelligence in robotics (symbol grounding, knowledge representation, reasoning, planning)
- Robot perception (focus on LIDAR and vision based methods)
- Robot architectures
- Dependable autonomy (focus on unmanned aircraft systems)
- Embedded real-time systems
- Metrology (focus on optical methods)
Application areas:
- Pilotless unmanned aircraft for operations in unknown, GPS denied environments
- Low-altitude remote sensing (e.g. vegetation monitoring)
- Search&Rescue (e.g. search for survivors, damage assessment)
- Scientific data collection (e.g. collection of atmospheric data)
Publications:
Find a list of Torsten’s publications here.
Notes:
PhD topics available in all of the mentioned research areas.Contact:
torsten.merz@csiro.au
