Smarter Robots for a Complex World: Trustworthy Autonomy from Lab to Field

How can we build intelligent robotic systems that are robust enough for defense and flexible enough for manufacturing? In this talk, Dr. Aniket Bera will present recent advances in AI-native robotics being developed at Purdue’s IDEAS Lab — focused on enabling robots to sense, reason, and act autonomously in challenging, real-world environments.

The presentation will showcase interdisciplinary efforts spanning computer science, mechanical engineering, and human factors — with real use cases drawn from:

• AI-assisted quadruped and ground robot navigation in unstructured and GPS-denied terrains,

• Edge-deployed perception systems for autonomous mobile robots (AGVs) used in manufacturing,

• Human-aware planning that incorporates behavioral prediction for safe, collaborative operation near people,

• Digital Twin-based robotic assembly in cleanroom environments (in collaboration with Fermilab and DOE),

• And intent-driven planning with large foundation models for dynamic and complex decision spaces.

Aniket will also discuss how these technologies are being deployed or piloted in partnership with the Department of Defense, regional industry partners, and manufacturing companies with an eye toward scalable, real-world deployment. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of explainability, safety certification, and workforce readiness for trustworthy robotic systems.

This talk is designed to engage a broad audience — from federal and state stakeholders looking to fund resilient autonomy, to defense contractors seeking research collaborations, to small businesses aiming to integrate intelligent automation into their operations.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Aniket Bera is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Purdue University and the Director of the IDEAS Lab (Intelligent Design for Empathetic and Augmented Systems). His research spans motion planning, human-robot collaboration, embodied AI, and real-time decision-making in complex environments. Dr. Bera has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, holds multiple patents, and serves as a Senior Editor for IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters. He has led multi-million-dollar research initiatives supported by the Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, and other industry collaborators. His work focuses on designing behaviorally-intelligent robotic agents capable of understanding human intent and operating in the real world — from quadrupeds navigating forests to cleanroom robots assembling superconducting cavities.

Join us for an hour of snacks, drinks and networking immediately following the presentation.

Come early and enjoy our coworking space for free before the event.

If you have any questions, please email Samantha Nelson, Program Manager, Purdue @ WestGate, at c2puZWxzb24gfCBwcmYgISBvcmc=.

Also check out other Nonprofit events in Odon.