Michael Kepler

Background

About Michael Kepler

I am an electrical engineer with a passion for solving complex, real-world problems through the development of advanced control systems and robotics. I thrive on building innovative, practical solutions that push the boundaries of what autonomous systems can achieve. My expertise lies at the intersection of theoretical control systems and hands-on implementation, focusing on designing systems that are both efficient and adaptable to dynamic environments. Throughout my academic career, I have sought opportunities to apply my knowledge in real-world projects. From building autonomous ground vehicles and remotely controlled cranes during my undergraduate studies to conducting cutting-edge research for my Master’s thesis, I’ve always been driven to explore how control systems can solve significant engineering challenges. My thesis, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, focused on developing a small autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) capable of towing large, high-drag payloads. This research resulted in two published conference papers and significantly contributed to our understanding of AUV dynamics and maneuvering. I believe that collaboration is key to advancing technology. While I enjoy the challenge of working independently, some of my most rewarding experiences have come from collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. As part of my PhD research, funded by the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (5.6% acceptance rate), I developed decentralized control approaches for collaborative subsea mapping using acoustic communication. My work on reducing communication needs by two orders of magnitude while maintaining system performance was published at the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) 2020. Throughout my career, I have embraced opportunities to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible in control systems and robotics. I remain committed to advancing the field by continually refining my skills, learning from others, and sharing my knowledge with the community. You can explore my publications on my Google Scholar profile & hl=en & oi=sra, and my previous robotics projects are available here: http://mason.gmu.edu/~mkepler/.