This research develops adaptable machine learning methods for wildlife monitoring using camera trap images. By clustering visually similar animal images, the system dramatically reduces the amount of manual labeling required while maintaining accuracy. The approach could enable faster, large-scale biodiversity monitoring critical for protecting endangered species worldwide.

This research develops nanostructured optical devices that dramatically improve camera efficiency by redirecting light rather than discarding unwanted wavelengths. Using nanoscale patterned glass inspired by semiconductor fabrication techniques, the work could produce mobile cameras with significantly better low-light performance, higher image quality, faster imaging, and improved efficiency at ultra-high resolutions.

This research develops drones with soft robotic arms capable of safely grasping and transporting objects in challenging environments. By combining predictive modelling with visual feedback, it overcomes control challenges associated with soft materials. The work advances intelligent, adaptive aerial robotics for applications such as emergency delivery and hazardous environments.

This research develops reliable AI-powered drone systems to support New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 initiative. By improving neural network calibration, uncertainty estimation, and robustness in challenging real-world conditions, the project aims to accurately detect invasive predators and better protect endangered native bird species.

This research presents a modular visuotactile robotic system for manipulating deformable objects such as cables, towels, and garments. Unlike rigid-object manipulation, deformables pose challenges due to occlusion, complex dynamics, and high variability. The system combines vision for global context and tactile sensing (GelSight) for precise local control, enabling tasks like cable tracing, cloth edge following, towel folding, and garment handling. It uses reactive control, learned dynamics (LQR), affordance models, and dense correspondence to generalise across tasks and objects. A key innovation is shifting from global state estimation to local, feedback-driven manipulation, improving robustness, efficiency, and real-world applicability in domains like manufacturing, healthcare, and assistive robotics.

This PhD uses brain-inspired AI to decode vision from neural data. Using human fMRI (24 hours of Doctor Who) and monkey electrophysiology, signals are transformed into 2D brain maps to improve reconstruction. The model learns receptive-field structure, compares contributions of V1/V4/IT, and aims for efficient, interpretable decoding with applications to neuroscience and BCIs.

Traditional neural networks are powerful but difficult to interpret and vulnerable to small input changes. This research develops wavelet-based neural networks with provable stability guarantees, extending the scattering transform to texture modeling. The approach reduces feature complexity while improving interpretability, enabling more reliable and mathematically explainable AI systems.

Industrial combustion residue can strengthen concrete but varies in impurity content. This research uses X-ray imaging and computer vision to identify and quantify impurities in residue particles. The results help cement manufacturers optimize material use, improving quality, reducing costs, and supporting sustainable recycling of industrial waste.