Abstract:
Learning and task coordination for multi-agent systems can be generally viewed to characterize autonomy as overarching system-level properties. The complex interplay between trust and information privacy for onboard decision support systems introduces new vulnerabilities that are extremely hard to predict with most existing guidance and control tools. In this seminar, we review some recent advances in regret-free learning algorithms, trust, and sub-modularity metrics for decentralized task assignment algorithms. The concept of “multi-thread” learning and composite adaptation is realized through certain new metrics that are inspired by cognitive dissonance from social psychology. These technical foundations will be highlighted through aerospace applications with active learning inside dynamic and uncertain environments.
Bio:
Maruthi Akella is a professor in Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at UT Austin where he holds the Cockrell Family Endowed Chair in Engineering. He is founding director for the Center for Autonomous Air Mobility and faculty lead coordinator for the controls, autonomy, and robotics area at UT Austin. His research encompasses coordinated systems, learning, adaptation, and vision-based sensing. His research group contributed for the onboard guidance algorithm for the Intuitive Machines IM-1 mission – the first U.S. moon landing in more than 50 years since the Apollo era. The major impacts of Dr. Akella’s work have been recognized through the AIAA Mechanics and Control of Flight Award, the AAS Dirk Brouwer Award, the IEEE-CSS Award for Excellence in Aerospace Control, and the Judith Resnik Space Award from the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society. In October 2024, the International Astronomical Union designated asteroid number 5376 – a nearly 5-mile diameter-sized minor planet from the main asteroid belt as “Maruthiakella” honoring Dr. Akella’s contributions to “many successful applications in astrodynamics.” Dr. Akella is Editor-in Chief for the Journal of the Astronautical Sciences and a Fellow of the AIAA, IEEE, and AAS. The Indian Government Department of Science and Technology recognized him with a VAIBHAV Fellowship as their first ever honoree focusing on aerospace technologies.