Sensing
Robotic control
Electronic Design
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.
It offers unique opportunities to collaborate with brilliant minds and cutting-edge technologies, all dedicated to transforming lives through robotics innovatio
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 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
r.michalec@hw.ac.uk
Areas of expertise / interest:
I am an engineer with a background in robotics, software engineering, and applied mathematics. I have worked at universities, public research institutions, and a startup company, in fields including underwater robotics, space robotics, robotic manipulation, and software development in support of research.
I am mainly interested in robots as mobile platforms for work in unstructured environments that are dangerous or inaccessible to humans. I stay mostly on the software side of robotics, which is where autonomous behaviour can be implemented, though I also enjoy occasional deployments in the field and trials with project partners. I also have a practical interest in the IT infrastructure that underpins software development and robot operations.
m.o’hara@hw.ac.uk
I’m passionate about building intelligent, connected robotic systems. My expertise spans mobile robotics, robotics networking, fleet management, robotics logistics and orchestration, cloud robotics, and process automation focused on enabling seamless robot communication and efficient operations in complex, dynamic environments.
Joining the National Robotarium from the beginning has opened doors I never expected. The diverse projects and industry connections have accelerated my professional growth significantly
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
d.valente@hw.ac.uk
I am a Robotic Systems Engineer with a background in Robotics and Autonomous Systems from Heriot-Watt University, where I graduated with a First-Class MEng degree. Prior to joining the National Robotarium, I worked on a range of projects within the Ocean Systems Laboratory, including the development of a Ropeless Fishing System and the design, build, and maintenance of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs).
My interests lie in hands-on engineering, particularly hardware–software integration, electronics design, and rapid prototyping for real-world robotic systems. I enjoy working on practical solutions that operate in challenging environments and support the transition of research into deployment.
Outside of work, I enjoy playing the piano and guitar, a variety of sports including basketball, football, and badminton, fishing, solving Rubik’s cubes, juggling and flying drones.
The variety of projects I am exposed to, combined with the strong focus on developing robotic solutions that address real-world problems and have the potential to genuinely improve people’s lives.
Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh, Scotland
UK EH14 4AS
Scottish registered charity number SC000278
The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland
EH8 9YL
Scottish registered charity number SC005336
