HERO Lab

In Hazardous and Extreme Environment Robotics (HERO) Lab of POSTECH, we are dedicated to unveiling the extremene environments by utilizing field robotics, AI, and perception. We focus on researching robots capable of autonomously performing missions in extreme environments such as disaster situations, underwater environments, and nuclear power plants. We develop robot's hardware and software, then evaluate performance through experiments in real-world environments. Currently, we are researching and developing robots capable of completing missions and performing various tasks in extreme environments through techniques including biomimetic robotic designs and multi-robot systems. A hovering-type AUV called Cyclops was developed for sensing and scanning in shallow water. Using Cyclops, we are conducting various research including underwater scanning, underwater 3D reconstruction, and mission execution with multiple robots. This study aims to develop control algorithms that maximize robot mobility in complex and unstructured environments within nuclear power plants, such as stairs, pipes, and narrow passageways. By utilizing tracked robots and quadruped walking robots, we research stable posture control and dynamic obstacle avoidance technologies, and validate the feasibility of mission performance in rough terrains resembling actual nuclear facilities. In particular, we are focusing on achieving optimal path planning and environment-adaptive locomotion technologies through hybrid mobility mechanisms. Underwater manipulation robots utilizing ALBC (Active Link Buoyancy Control) systems offer an innovative underwater 3D posture control mechanism. With its novel concept and design hold significant potential for facilitating advanced underwater missions, including object recove