Research outputs per year
Research outputs per year
Accepting HDR Candidates
Available HDR projects
I am seeking enthusiastic PhD, MPhil, and MRes students to join my research team. Interested candidates are encouraged to email me their CV. The available research topics include:
1. Development of novel sensing technologies
2. Unconventional sensors for robotic perception
3. Development of sensing intelligence and interaction methods
Research activity per year
I am a Lecturer in Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering at Western Sydney University (WSU), as well as a Core Member and Assistant Stream Leader for Automation and Robotics at the WSU Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Technology in the School of Engineering, Design, and Built Environment.
Prior to joining WSU, I worked as a Research Fellow at the Robotics Institute, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), from April 2018 to February 2024. During this time, I served as Chief Investigator and Milestone Lead for several government and industry-funded research projects. I completed my PhD in 2018 at the UTS Robotics Institute, specializing in smart sensing. I also hold an MSc in Mechatronics from the University of Newcastle, UK (2013), and a BE in Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering from Anna University, India (2011).
I teach courses in the mechatronics and robotics disciplines and currently serve as the Subject Coordinator and Lecturer for MECH3001 Advanced Dynamics, MECH3006 Mechatronic Design, and ELEC2008 Microcontrollers and PLCs.
I actively engage with professional communities in sensing and robotics and hold prominent executive positions on national and international committees within the IEEE Sensors Council and the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society.
My research is driven by the goal of enabling human-level sensing, perception and world understanding in robots operating in real-world, diverse environments.
I direct the Smart Sensing and Robotics Laboratory (SensR Lab), where I bridge theory and practice to advance sensing technologies for next-generation robotic autonomy.
My research centers on three key areas:
As a Chief Investigator, my research is supported by funding from the Australian Research Council, Digital Health CRC, NBN Co, Sydney Water, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, and other organizations. I have collaborated with over 35 companies and 10 research institutions across Australia, the USA, the UK, Canada, Germany, Finland, Denmark, and India.
My work has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the National Research Innovation Award (2020) and the NSW Student Water Prize (2018). It has also been featured in more than 20 media articles and has played a significant role in shaping key industry policies, such as the NBN Corporate Plan (2023, 2024) and Sydney Water's Innovation Research Strategy.
My research interests focus on developing novel sensing techniques, exploring unconventional sensors for robotic perception, and advancing methods for sensing intelligence and interaction. These advancements have diverse applications, including:
These research interests align with the work at the SensR Lab, driving innovation in both foundational robotics research and impactful applications across industries.
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Doctor of Philosophy
Adjunct Fellow, University of Technology Sydney
Feb 2024 → Dec 2025
Research Fellow, University of Technology Sydney
Oct 2021 → Feb 2024
Senior Research Engineer, University of Technology Sydney
Apr 2021 → Sept 2021
Smart Sensing Research Lead, UTS Robotics Institute
Jan 2019 → Feb 2024
Research Fellow, University of Technology Sydney
Apr 2018 → Mar 2021
Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Chapter › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Conference Paper › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Thiyagarajan, K. (Chair)
Activity: Membership › Organisation
Thiyagarajan, K. (Speaker)
Activity: Talk/Presentation › Invited talk
Thiyagarajan, K. (Speaker)
Activity: Talk/Presentation › Invited talk
Thiyagarajan, K. (Speaker)
Activity: Talk/Presentation › Invited talk
Thiyagarajan, K. (Speaker)
Activity: Talk/Presentation › Guest lecture