Professor Stefan Williams
PhD, University of Sydney, 2001
Head of School - School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
Australian Centre for Field Robotics
J07 - Mechanical Engineering Building
The University of Sydney
Telephone | +61 2 9351 8152 |
Fax | +61 2 9351 7474 |
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Website |
Australian Centre for Field Robotics School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering |
Research interests
Professor Stefan Williams' research in the field of marine robotics is enhancing our ability to document, understand and thus protect our deep-water marine habitats. His current focus is on the development and deployment of autonomous underwater vehicles whose visual and acoustic sensors can gather data for the purpose of generating high-resolution 3D models of underwater marine environments.
"My research focuses mainly on the development of techniques for high-resolution mapping of marine habitats. This work uses a combination of visual and acoustic sensors to generate detailed, three-dimensional models of underwater environments using data collected by autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
"These AUV surveys are designed to collect high-resolution stereo imagery and oceanographic data to support studies in the fields of engineering science, ecology, biology, geoscience, archaeology and industrial applications.
"My recent work has focused on generating high-fidelity, three-dimensional models of the seafloor; precisely matching survey locations across years to allow scientists to understand variability in these environments; and identifying patterns in the data that facilitate automated classification of the resulting image sets.
"Insights gained from this work have been used, for example, to better understand the recovery of coral reefs from bleaching and cyclones, as well as the behaviour of temperate reef organisms such as fish, urchins and lobsters.
"My colleagues and I conduct these AUV-based surveys around Australia and internationally. We are currently undertaking arguably the world's first benthic (sea-floor) observing program to make extensive use of AUVs for the purpose of monitoring benthic habitats on such a large scale.
"I am particularly passionate about this area of research because it allows me to interact with such a dynamic group of peers in helping to document and understand marine habitats. Seeing our robotic systems and sensor systems being deployed on sensitive coral reefs, deep-water hydrothermal vent systems and temperate kelp forests is immensely satisfying, and is helping to change our understanding of the marine environment."
Teaching and supervision
MTRX5700 - Experimental Robotics
Current research students
Project title | Research student |
---|---|
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles as a platform for stereovideo surveys of fish | Nader BOUTROS |
Automation and robust control on Surgical Robots | Johnny CHENG |
Current projects
Associations
President of the Australian Robotics and Automation Association
IEEE Robotics and Automation Society
IEEE Oceanographic Engineering Society
In the media
Selected grants
2019
- Automated Benthic Understanding with Multimodal Observations; Williams S, Pizarro O; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP).
2017
- Classification of Broadscale, Multi-resolution Visual Seafloor Mosaics; Williams S, Pizarro O, Bryson M; DVC Research/Bridging Support Grant.
2016
- Supervised autonomy for AUVs using limited bandwidth communication channels; Williams S, Pizarro O; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP).
- High Resolution Visual 3D Reconstructions for Rapid Archeological Characterization; Pizarro O, Williams S; University of Michigan/Research Grant.
- Autonomous Acoustic Mapping And Tracking Facility; Williams S, Pizarro O, Bryson M, Ramos F, Webster J; University of Sydney/Equipment Grant.
2015
- Mobile annotation of benthic mosaics; Pizarro O, Williams S; University of St Andrews/Internal Research Grants.
- Quantification of coral reef habitat structural complexity and community composition in a changing ocean using 3D models.; Byrne M, Williams S, Figueira W, Ferrari R, Bridge T, Pizarro O, Booth D; Great Barrier Reef Foundation/Research Support.
- A Photometric Imaging Model for Mobile Underwater Camera Design; Williams S, Pizarro O, Lumsdaine A, Roman C, Schechner Y; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP).
2014
- High quality benthic and demersal surveys from small form factor underwater robots; Pizarro O, Williams S, Edmunds M; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP).
- Employing a novel imaging technology, plenoptic cameras, in underwater robotic imaging; Dansereau D, Williams S; Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations/Endeavour Awards - Scholarships and Fellowships.
2013
- Autonomous Benthic Observing System; Williams S, Pizarro O, Babcock R, Barrett N, Heyward A, Jordan A, Kendrick G; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF).
- The provision and deployment of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles to undertake navigated time series measurements of benthic habitats; Williams S; Department of Industry, Innovation and Science/National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).
- Development of an industry-based habitat mapping/monitoring system.; Pizarro O, Williams S; Department of Fisheries (WA)/Research Support.
- Australian Centre for Field Robotics; Williams S, Jordan A; Department of Primary Industries (NSW)/Research Support.
- Remotely operated vehicle; Williams S, Pizarro O, Manchester I, Webster J, Ferrari R; DVC Research/Equipment Grant.
2012
- Delivering information suitable for studying spatial and temporal variability in benthic habitats using Autonomous Underwater Vehicles; Williams S; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Future Fellowships (FT).
- Marine Video; Williams S, Pizarro O; Department of Industry, Innovation and Science/Research Support.
2011
- Image-based automated macrobenthic species identification, counting and sizing - Fellow Nourani Vatani; Williams S, Pizarro O, Nourani-Vatani N; Science and Industry Endowment Fund/John Stocker Postdoctoral Fellowships.
- Supervised autonomy for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) using limited bandwidth communication channels; Blair B, Williams S, Pizarro O; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP).
2010
- Machine assisted, multi-scale spatial and temporal observation and modelling of marine benthic habitats - FELLOWSHIP (TBC); Williams S, Byrne M, Barrett N, Figueira W, Johnson-Roberson M; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Super Science Fellowships.
- An investigation of SLAM (Simultaneous localization and mapping) using Synthetic Aperture Sonar; Clark M, Williams S; Thales Australia Ltd/Research Support.
- Cost-effective autonomous technologies for long term monitoring of marine protected areas; Pizarro O, Williams S, Jakuba M, Eustice R, Whitcomb L; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP).
2009
- Autonomous repeatable surveys for long term monitoring of marine habitats; Burrowes D, Charng J, Clark M, Fox D, Williams S, Pizarro O, Jakuba M; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP).
2008
- Autonomous Bathymetric Mapping in the Littoral; Williams S, Pizarro O; Department of Defence (Federal)/Research Support.
- Use of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle at the IMOS AUV Facility; Williams S, Pizarro O, Jakuba M; Department of Industry, Innovation and Science/National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).
- Autonomous Exploration and Characterization of Benthic Habitats Linked to Oceanographic Processes; Williams S; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP).
- Video analysis suite for the integrative analysis of resource acquisition behaviour in animals; Simpson S, Shine R, Thompson M, Seebacher F, Pile A, McArthur C, Coleman R, Beekman M, Ward A, Sword G, Brooks R, Poore A, Bonduriansky R, Cassis G, Olsson M, Williams S, Booth D; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF).
- Video analysis suite for the integrative analysis of resource acquisition behaviour in animals; Simpson S, Shine R, Thompson M, Seebacher F, Pile A, McArthur C, Coleman R, Beekman M, Ward A, Sword G, Brooks R, Poore A, Bonduriansky R, Cassis G, Olsson M, Booth D, Williams S; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF).
2005
- Decision Making and Mission Planning for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles; Williams S, Blair A; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP).
- Autonomous Modelling of Sediment Dynamics; Williams S; University of Sydney/Research & Development.
2004
- Development of second generation Rover sniper target system; Williams S, Hughes B; Defence Science and Technology Group./Research Grant.
- Not known; Williams S; DVC Research/Research and Development Scheme: Newly Appointed Staff (NAS).
- Environment modelling of Great Barrier Reef habitats using autonomous transect surveying; Williams S, Salih A; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP).
2003
- Fish-bird: autonomous interaction in a contemporary arts setting; Rye D, Scheding S, Velonaki M, Williams S, Lemckert C; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP).
Selected publications & creative works
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