PhD Speaking Qualifier

Abstract: In this talk, I introduce solid knitting, a fabrication technique that combines the layer-by-layer volumetric approach of 3D printing with the topologically entwined stitch structure of knitting to produce solid 3D objects. This technique has the potential to be 3D printing that can be unraveled. I define the basic building stitch blocks of solid [...]

Abstract: Salient foreground regions (e.g., vehicles, faces) occupy only ~10% of pixels, while less informative backgrounds (e.g., sky, trees) dominate ~90%. This imbalance fundamentally limits visual perception: (1) 2D discriminative tasks (e.g., domain-adaptive detection and segmentation) rely heavily on large background regions with high cross-domain variation, making domain adaptation difficult. (2) 2D generative tasks (e.g., [...]

Abstract: Safe and effective autonomous traversal of off-road terrain is challenging due to both terrain properties, such as low traction in sand or deformability of mud, and terrain geometries, including steep slopes, ditches, and uneven surfaces that can induce unsafe vehicle behaviors like excessive pitch and roll. Model Predictive Path Integral (MPPI) control provides a powerful [...]