About Dale Carnegie and his research

Professor Carnegie’s research is primarily in the area of mechatronics – the interaction of mechanical, electronic and software engineering – to provide solutions for a variety of industrial-based problems. His work includes the creation of autonomous mobile robots, i.e. robots that operate without human intervention.

Dale Carnegie is Professor of Electronic and Computer Systems Engineering at Victoria University of Wellington’s (VUW) School of Engineering and Computer Science. He also leads VUW’s Mechatronics and Robotics Research Group, where he and his students research a wide range of topics including embedded controllers, sensors, adaptive control systems, instrumentation, digital electronics and mobile robotics. Specifically, the Group’s work involves developing:

▪ Autonomous Mobile Robotics This includes development of the robotic security guard MARVIN and a system of mobile robots to assist with Urban Search and Rescue (see story on reverse).

▪ New ways to incorporate embedded controllers into electronic devices Almost all modern electronic devices include some form of embedded controller, perhaps a microcontroller, digital signal processor, field programmable gate array or even a single-board computer. Professor Carnegie and his Group are regularly tasked with solving industry-related problems that require the incorporation of embedded controllers, instrumentation, electronics and control systems. Recent work includes projects for organisations such as Kinopta, Fonterra, DieselGas,

TekronInternational, Perreaux Industries and Industrial Research Limited (now known as Callaghan Innovation Research Ltd).

▪ A full-field, portable range imaging system Normal cameras only return the intensity or brightness of the environment; however, sometimes it is the range or distance to the objects that is of more interest. Historically, ranging is done by the time-consuming process of scanning a laser dot over the scene, or the software-complex process of using two cameras and resolving the stereo image to determine range. The system developed by the Mechatronics Group can capture the range to every object in a standard camera lens field of view (wide-angle through to telephoto) quickly, precisely and with a high degree of configurability. This means that mobile robots can be operated in complex and changing environments, and potentially used in forensics (e.g. to measure debris from fatal car crashes), and even the entertainment industry.

▪ Specialised control systems Mobile robotic and moving mechanical devices require sophisticated control systems that must be able to adapt to changing situations. Professor Carnegie and his researchers have developed a number of specialised control systems that can be used on a number of different platforms. These systems incorporate machine learning (artificial intelligence) and various innovative high level control algorithms so that robots can complete complex tasks without human intervention.

To find out more about Professor Carnegie’s research, please contact him directly by calling +64-4-463 7485 or emailing him at dale.carnegie@ecs.vuw.ac.nz

Multiplying Mobile Robots Hierarchy of different sized and shaped robots a world firstIn response to a number of global and national disasters, Victoria University of Wellington’s (VUW) Mechatronics and Robotics Research Group has constructed one of New Zealand’s most diverse collection of mobile, autonomous robots including a family of search and rescue robots that could be the first to save a person’s life.

The lack of effective robots for search and rescue operations after the Christchurch earthquakes and the Pike River mine disaster highlight the potential for new robotic technology. The current international efforts to solve these problems are fundamentally flawed since they rely on large, single and expensive robots ($300,000 and more). Operators are understandably reluctant to deploy such valuable robots in environments where mishaps and potential damage to the device is likely.

VUW’s Mechatronics Group has developed an innovative hierarchy of robots that includes disposable miniature sensor robots that are designed to go where it’s unsafe for humans to enter. Being disposable means the design, and hence the cost, can be dramatically reduced.

The flagship system comprises a grandmother, six daughters and 180 granddaughters.

The grandmother has all of the large processing ability, artificial intelligence and long range communications equipment. She can make the big decisions and she is kept safe.

The grandmother drives to the edge of a disaster zone from where she controls six robust and rugged mother robots that penetrate deep into the disaster area. When they see a crevice or hole, they drop off a daughter robot (about the size of a cellphone), which can then burrow beneath the rubble and detect signs of life.

Key benefits of the system are its affordability and versatility. The smaller robots in the hierarchy are able to be modified for Police work – to enter a building to check for hazards before a Police raid – or for the Fire Service – to enter a building ahead of fire fighters to check for explosive gases. An alternative version will have the ability to enter mines. The Mechatronics Group is now looking for funding to develop a prototype of this hierarchical robotic system.

These robots are examples of the growing field of mechatronics which combines mechanical, electronic and software engineering with sensors, physics, mathematics, marketing and design. Embedded controllers, effective instrumentation and relevant control systems are at the core of not only these robots, but a substantial number of commercial electronics. Consequently, graduates of VUW’s Mechatronics Group are highly sought after by industry. Professor Carnegie with the search and rescue robots that could save lives