Karthick Thiyagarajan

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

Calculated based on number of publications stored in Pure and citations from PlumX
20162025

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Biography

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.

Research description

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:

  1. Novel Sensing Technologies: Developing novel sensors to explore previously undetected environmental parameters or to enhance the precision and reliability of existing measurements.
  2. Robotic Perception with Unconventional Sensors: Exploring the use of non-traditional sensing technologies to improve perception and navigation in complex environments.
  3. Sensing Intelligence and Interaction: Creating advanced models for sensor analytics, diagnostics, and human-robot interaction by leveraging data-driven approaches, deep learning, and spatio-temporal modeling.

 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.

Research interests

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:

  • Field Robotics.
  • Assistive Robotics and Technologies
  • Robotics for Advanced Manufacturing in Industry 5.0
  • Environmental Monitoring

These research interests align with the work at the SensR Lab, driving innovation in both foundational robotics research and impactful applications across industries.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

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):

  • SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
  • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

Related links

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy

External positions

Adjunct Fellow, University of Technology Sydney

Feb 2024Dec 2025

Research Fellow, University of Technology Sydney

Oct 2021Feb 2024

Senior Research Engineer, University of Technology Sydney

Apr 2021Sept 2021

Smart Sensing Research Lead, UTS Robotics Institute

Jan 2019Feb 2024

Research Fellow, University of Technology Sydney

Apr 2018Mar 2021

Research keywords

  • Novel Sensing
  • Robot Perception
  • Sensing Intelligence
  • Human-Robot-Interaction
  • Field Robotics
  • Assistive Robotics
  • Manufacturing Robotics
  • Environmental Monitoring

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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