Smart Manufacturing and Automation
The Smart Manufacturing and Automation cluster advances cyber-physical production systems through robotics, automation, and real-time control. Core strengths include intelligent robotic workcells, autonomous material handling, and safe human-robot collaboration for factory environments. The cluster emphasizes system integration—connecting machines, sensors, controllers, and production workflows into robust automated operations. These capabilities enable adaptive manufacturing that improves throughput, consistency, and safety.
A distinguishing focus is deploying automation that works reliably under real-world variability (part tolerances, mixed materials, changing demand, and operator interactions). The cluster develops methods for perception-to-action pipelines, safety-aware motion planning, and verification/validation of automated behaviors. It also explores digital-twin-assisted commissioning and performance tuning for faster startup and reduced integration risk. The result is scalable automation solutions that can be piloted and transferred to industry partners.
Representative Research Topics:
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Collaborative robotics and safety-aware human-robot interaction in manufacturing cells
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Autonomous material handling and mobile manipulation (AMRs/AGVs + robot arms)
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Real-time sensing and control for automated assembly, machining, or inspection workcells
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Digital-twin-assisted commissioning and optimization of automated production lines
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Trustworthy autonomy for manufacturing: verification, validation, and fail-safe behaviors
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Group Members
- Samuel Oliveira, Assistant Professor, Nanoengineering - smdoliveira@ncat.edu
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Muditha Senanayake, Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences - mmsenanayake@ncat.edu
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Zhaohui Wang, Assistant Professor, Computer Systems Technology - zwang3@ncat.edu
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Balakrishna (Balu) Gokaraju, Professor, Computer Systems Technology - bgokaraju@ncat.edu
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Troy Purdom, Assistant Professor, Kinesiology- tpurdom@ncat.edu
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James D. Kribs, Assistant Professor, Applied Engineering Technology - jdkribs@ncat.edu
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Elizabeth Newcomb-Hopfer, Associate Professor. Family and Consumer Sciences - eanewcom@ncat.edu
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Mohammad Azad, Associate Professor, Chemical, Biological and Bioengineering - emaazad@ncat.edu
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Shyam Aravamudhan, Professor, Nanoengineering - saravamu@ncat.edu
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Yantian Zha, Assistant Professor, Computer Science - yzha@ncat.edu
