Nature-inspired Robotic Navigation

This event is held in the theatrette on the ground floor of the Brisbane Square Library. Please bring a gold coin donation to support the meetup fee.

Abstract: For roboticists, nature is an amazing inspiration: animals, insects and even humans are capable of amazing feats that are currently far beyond the capabilities of robots. Over two decades, Michael's research group has drawn inspiration from nature's best navigation systems to create high performance navigation systems for robots like autonomous vehicles. The inspiration is twofold: the group work with neuroscientists who study the neural mechanisms underpinning navigation in the brain, but also look at navigation behaviours, whether it be an ant moving over a sand dune or a Monarch butterfly travelling the globe. In this talk, Michael will take the audience on a journey of inspiration, breakthroughs, frustration, and unsolved questions in the quest to develop better robot navigation systems and in doing so, better understand how we ourselves navigate the world.

Bio: Michael Milford, FTSE, conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of robotics, neuroscience, and computer vision, and specializes in areas like autonomous vehicles and robot navigation. He currently holds appointments as Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow, Director of the QUT Centre for Robotics, QUT Professor, Microsoft Research Faculty Fellow, and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering. He has led or co-led projects totaling​ more than 56 million dollars in research and industry funding, receiving over 18,000 citations, and his work has culminated in numerous accolades, including six best paper awards (and ten finalists), the ATSE Batterham Medal, and a joint outright Queensland Young Tall Poppy award. In 2013, he was made a Microsoft Research Faculty Fellow, one of only three Australians ever to receive this recognition. From 2022 – 2027 he is leading a large research team combining bio-inspired and computer science-based approaches to provide a ubiquitous alternative to GPS that does not rely on satellites. Michael is also an educational entrepreneur: as founder of Math Thrills, he has produced engaging STEM education materials distributed to over 35 countries for more than 20 years. As a keen mentor, Michael works with individuals and groups, both locally at the individual, institute or university level across Australia, but also globally through his Hacking Academia initiative: he won the 2025 Outstanding Mentor of Researchers Eureka Prize.