EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Agri-Food Robotics: AgriFoRwArdS - Mini-Beige portrait

Prof Mini C Rai

Research Interests

Mini’s core expertise is in developing robots, mechatronics, system integration and control engineering. She specialises in developing technologies (hardware and software) for a broad spectrum of critical industry-driven cross-sector applications. It spans from Space (Planetary and Orbital robotics) to Earth (currently Agri-Food, Medical and Nuclear). This includes but not limited to the following areas: Mathematical modelling, mechanism design, control of rigid/flexible/modular robotic manipulators, bio-inspired soft robotic arms and grippers, chassis design and traction control of mobile robots, off-road vehicle terrain interaction and soil sensors.

Targeted Agri-Robotics research projects cover the following topics: Precision control of robotic manipulators for selective harvesting, mobile manipulation focussed on coordinated locomotion of ground vehicle and motion control of robotic arms/instruments onboard, cooperative control of UAV and UGV for health monitoring of crops and soil carbon mapping, design of electrically powered chassis system for field robots and sensors for soil characterisation (e.g. penetrometer, GPR).

Read more about Mini on her University of Lincoln profile here.