Sean Katagiri

Senior Robotics Engineer

Sean Katagiri

Contact information

s.katagiri@hw.ac.uk

LinkedIn

Areas of expertise / interest:

  • Mission planning
  • UI/UX
  • Shared Autonomy
  • Remote Inspection
  • Space robotics
  • Disaster relief
  • Hazardous Environments
  • Robot Reliability

About me

I am a Senior Robotics Engineer with 2 years experience in Robotics for offshore

renewable energy sector from my previous employment as a Research Associate at the Ocean Systems Lab in Heriot-Watt University, working closely with ORCA Hub.

Since starting my post at The National Robotarium in 2022, I have been using my skills and knowledge to help bring autonomous solutions to the forefront in various sectors, utilising academic research to create industry level solutions.

I aim to achieve a higher understanding in reliability of autonomous systems in remote or hazardous environments and improve systems developed at the National Robotarium to incorporate those learnings to improve industries’ confidence in implementing autonomous systems in their sectors.

I like being part of the National Robotarium because…

As an engineer at NR the I’ve had the pleasure of being exposed to a wide range of robotic and autonomous systems as well as the different sectors they are being applied in, which has been a very valuable experience and insight into possible future technologies.

Dr Jonatan Scharff-Willners

Senior Robotics Engineer

Dr Jonaton Scharff-Willners

Contact information

j.scharff_willners@hw.ac.uk

LinkedIn

Areas of expertise / interest:

  • Subsea robotics
  • Marine robotics
  • Path Planning
  • Autonomy
  • Inspection
  • Active-SLAM

About me

I received my PhD from Heriot-Watt in 2020 and have since been working as a postdoc and senior robotics engineer at the National Robotarium.

During 2023 I have been awarded The Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellowship to help commercialise a subsea inspection system developed within Heriot-Watt and the National Robotarium as a spin-out called Frontier Robotics. Frontier Robotics has with the aid from National Robotarium been awarded multiple awards, including the highest amount in the Scottish EDGE, and a special award for Net-Zero.

My research areas are focused on how to make subsea robots truly autonomous, to enable them to inspect offshore assets without any prior knowledge about the environment nor any human input. My life revolves around the water, growing up on a Swedish island, now living a stone-throw from the North Sea, my work and PhD in marine robotics, and my personal passion of surfing or just being in the ocean in any form is what motivates me, so if you are keen on enabling subsea robots to dive deeper and smarter, or just a splash, please reach out!

I like being part of the National Robotarium because…

It offers a plethora of interesting opportunities, both from a technical perspective and building a network with academics and industrial partners. I have been able to work in the domain which I am passionate about, subsea robotics and the use of these to transition the UK’s and the world’s energy supply towards net-zero using offshore wind. The National Robotarium have always been very supportive of my individual motivation and interests.

Dr Alix Partridge

Senior Robotics Engineer

Dr Alix Partridge

Contact information

a.partridge@hw.ac.uk

LinkedIn

Areas of expertise / interest:

  • Soft Robotics
  • Reflex Response Robotics
  • Sustainable Robotics
  • Equality Diversity and Inclusion

About me

My name is Alix, and I have been working in the field of soft robotics for the past 6 years. I obtained my PhD from the Soft Robotics group at the University of Bristol, where I developed a variety of passive reflex response mechanisms for robots that can act without a brain and also created a solution for the recycling and reuse of silicone for sustainable soft robotic systems.

I am a great lover of all things creative and one of my proudest accomplishments was being a part of the Setouchi Triennale arts festival in Tadotsu, Japan. For this, I was part of a small team that developed two robotic avatars for an isolated dancer from Hong Kong, allowing her to be present within a dance performance at an abandoned soy sauce factory, miles from her home.

Feel free to talk to me about all things squidgy.

I like being part of the National Robotarium because…

As a member of the soft robotics team at the National Robotarium, I get to continue working at the cutting edge of my field while applying my work to industrial problems. Working at the interface of the known and the unknown has always been a dream, and it’s one that I’m able to realise in this incredible facility.

Hsing-Yu Chen

Senior Robotics Engineer

Hsing-Yu Chen

Contact information

hsing-yu.chen@hw.ac.uk

LinkedIn

Areas of expertise / interest:

  • Soft robotics
  • Sensing

  • Robotic control

  • Electronic Design

About me

I am a passionate and accomplished professional in the field of robotics and engineering. I had received a PhD degree in mechanical engineering from the university of Bristol. My research revolved around soft robotics in biomedical applications to develop transformative healthcare technologies and overcome major unmet health problems. After studies, I continued my pursuit of knowledge and innovation as a postdoctoral researcher, participated in several multi-million projects and published several papers in top-tier journals. Now I am working as an engineer at Robotarium, where I can apply my expertise to work on groundbreaking project and push the boundaries of robotic technologies to solve complex real-world challenges.

I like being part of the National Robotarium because…

It offers unique opportunities to collaborate with brilliant minds and cutting-edge technologies, all dedicated to transforming lives through robotics innovatio

Hari Lakshman R.B.

Robotics Engineer

Hari Lakshman R.B

Contact information

H.Lakshman_R.B@hw.ac.uk

LinkedIn

Areas of expertise / interest:

  • Mobile Robotics – Design, Software and Interface Dev
  • ROS
  • Virtual Reality and Teleoperation
  • Offshore RAS.
  • NLP and conversational Bot.
  • Operation and Reliablity testings for ATEX certified robots
  • Drone applications

About me

A solutionist, proficient and in love with technology. Mastering robotics and AI, applying it in real-life to bring in a real impact for a better tomorrow. I started my career in labs of a prestigious university in India, later getting my masters degree from University of Bristol. I headed straight up to National Robotarium from there.

As a robotics engineer, my responsibilities would include designing, assembling, testing, and maintaining robots, as well as developing new applications and conducting research in the field. I am excited to embark on this journey and contribute to the fascinating world of robotics

I like being part of the National Robotarium because…

As a robotics engineer working at a very the National Robotarium with a wide and diverse range of projects, there are several reasons why I enjoy being part of this team. It’s an innovative and creative work, we thrive to develop and implement real cutting edge technologies. The diverse job opportunities, cutting-edge environment, and the ability to make a positive impact make it an exciting and fulfilling career choice for me.

Rahul Ramakrishnan Ramachandran

Robotics Engineer

Rahul Ramachandran

Contact information

r.ramachandran@hw.ac.uk

Netlify

LinkedIn

Areas of expertise / interest:

  • Computer vision & Robot vision-based navigation,
  • Robot Motion planning
  • Robot Loco-manipulation
  • Tele-supervisory human-robot systems
  • Multi-Robot Systems
  • Distributed Artificial Intelligence

About me

I am a robotics engineer with 2 years of work experience in the Aerospace Industry and an experienced freelance robotics educator for school students. I enjoy conducting user case studies and finding better solutions for existing problems in the robotics field. I’m more passionate about building end-to-end highly dynamical systems that integrates learning algorithms, perception, planning, and control for real-world applications.

I am an aspiring full-stack roboticist. Since my undergraduate studies, I have been exploring the world of robotics. With a B.Tech in mechatronics engineering (First Class) from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India (2018) and a MSc by research (MRes) in Robotics (Distinction) from University of the West of England Bristol, United Kingdom (2020), I had worked in different areas of robotics namely, Marine Robotics, Aerial robotics, Continuum robotics, and Human-Robot interaction (HRI).

During my free time, I like reading murder-mystery novels, traveling, playing Chess and Badminton.

I like being part of the National Robotarium because:

It has given me this unique opportunity to collaborate with intelligent people from both academia and different industries and do some cutting-edge research and development of innovative solutions in Robotics and AI that has a direct positive impact towards improving the quality of lives of many in the UK and across the world. Working at the National Robotarium is also providing me the opportunity to engage with a lot of people especially with young school students talking and creating a general awareness about Robotics and AI and inspiring them to take up STEM career.

Jose Fernandes

Software Engineer

José Fernandez

Contact information

jcc2000@hw.ac.uk

LinkedIn

Areas of expertise / interest:

  • Software engineering
  • Systems engineering
  • Cloud development
  • Data engineering
  • Data science
  • ROS development
  • Conversational agents applications development

About me

I’m a software engineer with a strong passion for technology, especially software. My journey began when I joined The National Robotarium at its inauguration, to work on a data engineering project. Recently, I finished my Meng Software Engineering last semester, while contributing to several engineering other projects.

While working here, I discovered the exciting potential of robotics, and I’m confident that I can make meaningful contributions to the field. I’m known for being friendly, approachable, and naturally curious. I’m eager to explore and innovate, always seeking new ways to use technology to make a positive impact. Being part of the robotics and AI industry is an exciting journey, and I look forward to shaping its future.

I like being part of the National Robotarium because…

Our organisation is composed of highly talented individuals with immense potential. Working alongside such inspiring colleagues is a privilege. Secondly, this unique environment offers an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience by collaborating with experts from various fields. Continuous learning and personal growth are at the heart of our collective journey.

What also excites me are the ambitious projects we tackle here. We’re always pushing the boundaries of innovation, engaged in pioneering work that keeps us motivated and inspired. Additionally, our close ties to academia keep us informed about the latest research and developments in the dynamic field of robotics.

Finally, it’s truly motivating to be part of an organization with a dedicated mission to become a leader in the robotics industry. This commitment drives us to strive for excellence and contribute significantly to the future of robotics.

Coena Das

Robotics Engineer

Coena Das

Contact information

cd2055@hw.ac.uk

LinkedIn

About me

I am a Robotics Engineer at the National Robotarium, holding a Master’s degree in Robotics from the University of Bristol. During my time there, I earned the Bristol Plus Award, served as the Course Representative, and led the RoboGals Society as its secretary. My expertise spans various robotics and tech domains, including Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and Mixed Reality technology. I have honed my skills in mobile robot navigation at ETH Zurich’s summer school. Proficient in various robotics and software development skills, I am dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation.

I like being part of the National Robotarium because…

I like being a part of the National Robotarium because it is a hub of innovation where cutting-edge technology is harnessed to make a real difference in people’s lives through robotics. The collaborative spirit within my team drives continuous learning and impactful solutions.

Ronnie Smith

Robotics Engineer

Ronnie Smith

Contact information

r.smith@hw.ac.uk

Areas of expertise / interest:

  • Assistive Robotics
  • Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)
  • Conversational Agents / Dialogue Systems
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Ambient Intelligence (AmI)
  • Human-in-the-Loop (HITL)
  • Hybrid Artificial Intelligence
  • Software Engineering

About me

I am an engineer with a background in computer science, electronics engineering, and robotics and autonomous systems. Prior to joining the National Robotarium I undertook a PhD at the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics, where I worked on proactive robotic assistance to support individuals with their daily life at home. For this, I received a Postgraduate Research Award from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). I am particularly interested in Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) techniques and enabling effective human-robot interactions for control, teaching, and feedback.

I like being part of the National Robotarium because…

I believe that robots can already begin making an impact in society, but there is work to be done to get solutions from the lab into the “real world”. The National Robotarium, with close ties to academia and industry, is well-placed to bridge this gap and I am excited to be a part of it.

Thomas McGravie

Senior Technician

Thomas McGarvie

Contact information

t.mcgravie@hw.ac.uk

0131 451 8640

Areas of expertise / interest:

  • Digital/Additive manufacturing – 3D printing & laser cutting
  • CAD/ 3D modelling
  • CNC machining (Milling & Turning, exotic metals & plastics)
  • Design for Manufacture
  • Manufacture of jigs & fixtures for electronic applications
  • Oil & Gas research – design/manufacture of pressure vessels & piping

About me

I am an enthusiastic and motivated technician with over 30 years’ experience within manufacturing environments across various sectors. From working in the electronics sector manufacturing jigs & fixtures, to then 12 years in a production environment programming, setting and operating CNC mills and CNC lathes (with live tooling). I enjoyed a more creative R&D type role within the oil & gas research sector for 16 years, with specialising in additive manufacturing for the last 5 years of that. I joined The National Robotarium in August 2022 to use my technical knowledge to support the engineers with the design and manufacturing of parts for robotic applications and maintaining robotic systems. I am responsible for our various workshop & our 3D printing facility. I’m a keen golfer in my spare time away from work.

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