Jason Moran, B.S., Mechanical Engineering '11

Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) with mobile robots.

1.  What research are you working on?

I am working for Professor Campbell in the Autonomous Systems Laboratory in Rhodes Hall.  My research is on Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) using a mobile robot and a camera.  The idea is to create a better estimate of the robot’s position by incorporating the association of image details from successive images.  Ultimately, having a better knowledge of the robots position will facilitate improved planning and increase the robots effectiveness.

2.  How did you get involved?

I asked Professor Campbell to work in his lab.  Ultimately, finding a lab and a great professor to work with was a much easier than I was anticipating.  Most professors, while usually extremely busy, want to have hard working students to help around the lab.

3. Do you have any advice for other students considering research in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering?

Yes.  If you want to go to graduate school definitely talk to a professor about doing research.  My research experience has encouraged me to grasp subjects which I learned on a deeper level and has introduced me to some very intelligent, hard working, people.  It has improved my problem solving and has given me tools which are not typically learned in the class room.  Doing research is something I wish I started earlier.

4. Why did you choose to study Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Cornell?

I chose to study Mechanical Engineering at Cornell because it wasn’t just a great Engineering program, but because it was also at a great University.  I didn’t want to be confined to just an amazing technical education.  Cornell University has afforded me an outstanding education, not only in Engineering, but in many other fields not found at most top Engineering schools.

5. What do you do for fun?

I enjoy rock climbing, backpacking, snowboarding, teaching for COE, and other outdoor activities.  I also play ice hockey for team Papa John’s (last year’s Ithaca Adult Hockey Association Champions).

From the Lunch with ASME series.

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