Monroe, Louisiana, USA

(O) 412-683-4139, (H) 412-776-7393
nkl@ri.cmu.edu
Visiting Researcher/Robotics PhD Student

Education:
        M.S. Civil Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 1986
        B.S. Civil Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 1985

Experience in robotics:

Liaison for Caterpillar Inc. on the Autonomous Loading System (ALS) project.
The goal of the ALS project is to automate the process of mass excavation.
Developed a sub-system of the ALS which recognizes and locates trucks in range
images.  Significant experience in autonomous navigation, including the
following areas: developed radar and lidar based obstacle detection systems,
developed positioning systems for a HMMWV and an off-highway haulage truck,
developed a means of positioning by tracking targets.  Responsible for systems
integration of several iterations of an autonomous haulage system culminating
in a pre-production system at a rock quarry.  Developed a vehicle control
system for a HMMWV used to demonstrate a teloperation concept know as Computer
Aided Remote Driving.  Developed software to find underground pipes from
electromagnetic images of the pipes.

Experience in other fields:

Mining, inland waterways industry - installed and maintained a vessel
monitoring system for tow boats.   

Fields of interest:

Perception sensors and approaches that work in harsh environments.  Automated
mining and construction machines/systems that improve productivity and safety
in these industries.  Design and development methods that will decrease the
development time of automated machines.  Outside interests include family 
and jogging.