Manohar Srikanth
Postdoctoral Associate
Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
Masschusetts Insitute of Technology
32-D416
32 Vassar Street
Cambridge, MA - 02139
E-Mail: srimano@mit.edu
E-Mail: manohar@csail.mit.edu
Voice-Mail: 617 744 9799
Bio
As of Nov, 2012, I am a Postdoctoral Associate working with Frédo Durand in Computer Graphics Lab of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
Laboratory (CSAIL) of MIT. I focus on developing computational photography methods that makes use of robotic systems to achieve desired
photographic/lighting effects.
In Nov 2012, I graduated with a PhD from Mechanical Engineering Dept. of MIT, working in the area of Aerial Robotics with Dr. Anuradha Annaswamy.
For my PhD, I proposed methods for object manipulation using multiple Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – that is, using UAVs as cooperative robotic manipulation
system.
Before PhD, I did my Master’s in Scientific Visualization and Computer Graphics at the Indian Institute of Science and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in
Electrical Engineering focusing on signal processing. Before starting my Master’s work, I worked as a Scientist at the Center for Artificial Intelligence and
Robotics, Bangalore India, where I focused on surgery simulation, machine and computer Haptics and soft-body simulation.
Laboratory (CSAIL) of MIT. I focus on developing computational photography methods that makes use of robotic systems to achieve desired
photographic/lighting effects.
In Nov 2012, I graduated with a PhD from Mechanical Engineering Dept. of MIT, working in the area of Aerial Robotics with Dr. Anuradha Annaswamy.
For my PhD, I proposed methods for object manipulation using multiple Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – that is, using UAVs as cooperative robotic manipulation
system.
Before PhD, I did my Master’s in Scientific Visualization and Computer Graphics at the Indian Institute of Science and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in
Electrical Engineering focusing on signal processing. Before starting my Master’s work, I worked as a Scientist at the Center for Artificial Intelligence and
Robotics, Bangalore India, where I focused on surgery simulation, machine and computer Haptics and soft-body simulation.
Computational Photography
Postdoctoral Work ---- Lighting plays a major role in photography, and professional photographers
use elaborate installations to light their subject. However, lighting moving subjects performing
dynamic tasks presents significant challenges and requires significant manual intervention. For
example, an extra assistant repositioning the light as the subject changes pose or moves to a new
location. Latencies due to assistant's actions and the need for feedback from the photographer
introduces inefficiencies in the system.
We present a new approach where a UAV equipped with a portable light source hovers around the
subject and optimizes the lighting automatically. Our algorithm processes the images from the
photographer's camera and provides necessary motion commands to the UAV in order to achieve a
desired lighting effect, that is, to achieve a specified rim width in the resulting photographs. We
demonstrate a control approach that localizes the UAV with reference to the subject and tracks the
subject.
use elaborate installations to light their subject. However, lighting moving subjects performing
dynamic tasks presents significant challenges and requires significant manual intervention. For
example, an extra assistant repositioning the light as the subject changes pose or moves to a new
location. Latencies due to assistant's actions and the need for feedback from the photographer
introduces inefficiencies in the system.
We present a new approach where a UAV equipped with a portable light source hovers around the
subject and optimizes the lighting automatically. Our algorithm processes the images from the
photographer's camera and provides necessary motion commands to the UAV in order to achieve a
desired lighting effect, that is, to achieve a specified rim width in the resulting photographs. We
demonstrate a control approach that localizes the UAV with reference to the subject and tracks the
subject.
Aerial Robotics
PhD Work at MIT (2007-2012) ---- The thesis proposed methods to enable Aerial
Robots, such as a Quadrotor UAV, to perform tangible tasks by means of dynamic
contacts. By establishing contact with an object, these flying vehicles can perform
manipulation, for instance, opening a door or cooperatively pushing an box. With
their ability to fly fast, addition of manipulative capabilities make them incredibly
useful in remote operations such as search and rescue.
Without the need of complicated gripper or other articulated mechanisms, the
robot performs manipulation while maintaining stable flight. The thesis enumares
the UAV dynamics in the presence of contact, and proposes a number of
manipulation and control schemes that are robust in the presence of unknown
parameters.
The thesis also proposes a flexible aerial robotic design that allows a Quadrotor UAV
to strucutrally flex and deform in the face of an accidental collision, thus reducing
structural stress and storing the collision energy.
Robots, such as a Quadrotor UAV, to perform tangible tasks by means of dynamic
contacts. By establishing contact with an object, these flying vehicles can perform
manipulation, for instance, opening a door or cooperatively pushing an box. With
their ability to fly fast, addition of manipulative capabilities make them incredibly
useful in remote operations such as search and rescue.
Without the need of complicated gripper or other articulated mechanisms, the
robot performs manipulation while maintaining stable flight. The thesis enumares
the UAV dynamics in the presence of contact, and proposes a number of
manipulation and control schemes that are robust in the presence of unknown
parameters.
The thesis also proposes a flexible aerial robotic design that allows a Quadrotor UAV
to strucutrally flex and deform in the face of an accidental collision, thus reducing
structural stress and storing the collision energy.
Photography
Recent Work (2009-) ---- www.photonish.com Particularly interested in landscape and portrait style photography, recent work has been published in
TheTech, Technique, and several solo and group exhibits.
TheTech, Technique, and several solo and group exhibits.
