Bristol Robotics Laboratory
The Intelligent Autonomous Systems (IAS) Laboratory at the University of the West of England was co-founded in 1993 by Chris Melhuish, Owen Holland, and Alan Winfield. In December 2005 this evolved, under the direction of Professor Chris Melhuish, into the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) - a research partnership between the University of the West of England, Bristol and the University of Bristol.
The laboratory seeks to understand the science, engineering and social role of robotics and embedded intelligence. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, the research aims to create autonomous devices capable of working independently, with each other, or with us in our human society.
- Website: http://www.brl.ac.uk
Professor Alan Winfield (Principal Investigator)
Within the BRL Alan Winfield's research is in the area of biological robotics and is focused on the scientific and engineering applications of Swarm Intelligence. His work on Swarm Robotics is concerned with algorithms, analysis, modelling and specification for potential high integrity applications. At the same time Winfield is interested in Swarm Robotics as a constructionist metaphor for the study of emergence, self-organisation and intelligence. Winfield is strongly committed to the widest possible dissemination of research and ideas in science, engineering and technology, and is involved in a number of public engagement projects centred upon robotics.
- Website: http://www.ias.uwe.ac.uk/~a-winfie/
Dr Ioannis Ieropoulos
Ioannis is currently working as a Research Associate for the BRL and has a particular interest in robotic energy autonomy and renewable energy sources and has shown that employing Microbial Fuel Cell technology, mobile robots can be powered from organic/inorganic waste or even common pollutants. Ioannis recently showcased this work on the Channel 5 Gadget Show.
Mr Martin Pearson
Martin Pearson's research interests form part of a joint project with the ABRG, based in the University of Sheffield, to develop a neurophysiologically inspired artificial interpretation of the rodent whisker sensory system.
Mr Jan Dyre Bjerknes
Jan Dyre Bjerknes is currently undertaking a Phd in Aerial Swarm Intelligence in the Bristol Robotics Laboratory. He has a previous background in Philosophy of Science and linguistics. Jan Dyre is particularly interested in issues related to reduction and emergence in complex systems, and how properties in such systems can me modelled and predicted. In addition to his academic career, Jan Dyre is also very interested in Online Communities and is chief editor for Galaksen community in Norway.