Robotics Engineer
Rahul Ravichandran
Robotics Engineer focused on building reliable robotic and IoT systems. With 6+ years of experience and an M.Sc. in Robotics from Aalborg University, I design, build and integrate solutions from prototype to production.
About me
Welcome — I'm Rahul Ravichandran, a Robotics Engineer building real-world robotic and embedded systems. I focus on autonomy, perception, and industrial integration, and I enjoy taking projects from research and prototype stage into reliable, maintainable deployments.
I find inspiration in how robotics can improve efficiency and safety across domains. My work combines software, hardware, and systems engineering to deliver solutions that are robust and maintainable. I enjoy collaborating with cross-functional teams to move ideas into production.
If you'd like to explore my work, see the portfolio section below or get in touch via the contact page.
Work experience
Robotics Engineer
NovoNordisk, Kalundborg, Denmark
2024 - Present
Provide automation solutions and manage factory automation of producing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients(API) products.
In addition, I also manage team schedules, timelines and progress.
Robotics Engineer
TurfTank, Svenstrup, Denmark
2021 - 2024
I was responsible for integrating software solutions as a snap into a secure Ubuntu Core OS for deployment .
In addition I also helped develop robot functionalities and optimize CI/CD workflows for testing and deployment through bitbucket and azure pipelines and docker.
Project Assistant
Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
2019 - 2020
I was tasked with building a drone from the ground up to run a custom muticore processor for managing stabilzation and navigation.
This was in collaboration with DTU which utilized my 3d modelling, PCB designing and C programming skill sets.
Project Assistant
Indian Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India
2018 - 2019
I was undertaking serveral interesting project during my time here which were moslty on ROS gazebo drone simulation and path planning, Swarm navigation and search, Probabilistic drone search patterns.
I also had the chance to participate in an international drone called MBZIRC.
Education
Masters of Science in Robotics
Aalborg university, Aalborg
2019 - 2021
Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering
Malaviya National institute of Technology, Jaipur
2014 - 2018
Skills
Technical proficiencies and expertise in robotics, software development, and systems engineering.
ROS2
Experience building ROS2 packages, nodes and launch systems for robot control and data flow.
C++ Programming
Extensive experience writing real-time and performance-critical C++ for robotics applications.
CI/CD
Designing and implementing Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment pipelines for automated testing, building, and deployment workflows.
Snapcraft
Packaging and deploying applications with Snapcraft for secure, repeatable installs.
Docker
Containerization and deployment of services, CI pipelines and reproducible dev environments.
PCB Design
Schematic capture and PCB layout for embedded systems and sensor interfaces.
CAD Modeling
Mechanical design for robot components using CAD tools and export for manufacturing.
Workflow Automation
Automating build/test/deploy workflows using CI/CD, scripting and container tooling.
Embedded Systems
Firmware development and low-level integration for microcontrollers and SOCs.
Adaptability
Fast learner who applies new tools and methods to deliver project goals effectively.
Professional Recommendations
Professional recommendations from colleagues and collaborators.
" Rahul Ravichandran worked with me in the preparatory phase of MBZIRC, an international robotics competition held at Abu Dhabi, 2020. He developed code stacks mainly for challenges 1 and 2, performed simulations in Gazebo, and tested them on drones. He is one among the most dedicated individuals I have worked with! He is an amazing learner and a smart team mate. He is capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously. It was indeed a joy to work with Rahul! "
Lima Agnel Tony
Scientist/Roboticist · Worked together on MBZIRC competition (December 2020)
" I have known Rahul since the 1st semester of his undergraduate study. He was part of the ZINE Robotics and Research group under my supervision and has participated and won many competitions at IITs and at local universities. I have taught Rahul a course on Control Theory (Semester 6), which includes both theory as well as practical sessions. I have known him as brilliant and seeking student. "
Rajesh Kumar
FIET, FIEI, FIETE, SMIEEE, LMISTE Professor (Artificial Intelligence) IEEE IAS Distinguished Lecturer 2024-2025
Publications
Trajectory Tracking based on Adaptive Weights Receding Horizon Control by Differential Drive Robot
Authors: Samidha Mridul Verma, Rahul Ravichandran, Rahul Singhal, Rajesh Kumar
IEEE · October 31, 2020
In this paper, an adaptive weights receding horizon control (AWRHC) for trajectory tracking of a robot is presented. Because of the physical constraints of the robot, the conventional receding horizon control (RHC) may result in some perturbations from the reference trajectory when it is near the desired trajectory. The adaptive weights adjust the preferences for the way-points selected from the reference trajectory. The simulation results of RHC were compared with AWRHC for straight and circular trajectory tracking. The evaluation of both RHC strategies were carried out by Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO). The AWRHC approach significantly reduces perturbations which results in quicker path following with lower path transverse at the cost of negligible increase in computation time.
View Publication on IEEE Xplore →
Collaborative Tracking and Capture of Aerial Object using UAVs
Authors: Lima Agnel Tony, Shuvrangshu Jana, Varun V P, Vidyadhara B V, Mohitvishnu S Gadde, Abhishek Kashyap, Rahul Ravichandran, Debasish Ghose
MBZIRC Symposium 2020 · ADNEC, Abu Dhabi
This work details the problem of aerial target capture using multiple UAVs. This problem is motivated from the challenge 1 of Mohammed Bin Zayed International Robotic Challenge 2020. The UAVs utilise visual feedback to autonomously detect target, approach it and capture without disturbing the vehicle which carries the target. Multi-UAV collaboration improves the efficiency of the system and increases the chance of capturing the ball robustly in short span of time. In this paper, the proposed architecture is validated through simulation in ROS-Gazebo environment and is further implemented on hardware.
View Publication on arXiv →
UAV Based Survivor Search during Floods
Authors: Rahul Ravichandran, Debasish Ghose, Kaushik Das
2019 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS) · Jun 11, 2019
This paper addresses the problem of searching for survivors in flood affected regions. These search missions are carried out by UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) in order to search faster and cover larger distances.
View Publication on IEEE Xplore →
Discretization Schemes Comparison for the Greenhouse Temperature Model
Authors: Rahul Singhal, Rahul Ravichandran, Rajesh Kumar, Satyanarayana Neeli
2018 8th IEEE India International Conference on Power Electronics (IICPE) · May 9, 2019
In this paper, we suggest a suitable discretization method for the greenhouse temperature model by comparing conventionally used methods Runge-Kutta 4 (RK4) and Euler method with other discretization methods which includes explicit and embedded methods.
View Publication on IEEE Xplore →
Joint Angle Measurement using MEMs based Inertial sensor for biped robot
Authors: Rahul Ravichandran, Akshay Kumar, Rajesh Kumar
2018 Second International Conference on Electronics, Communication and Aerospace Technology (ICECA) · Oct 1, 2018
This project introduces the idea of using IMU to provide a position feedback to the control of biped robot rather than using encoders.
View Publication on IEEE Xplore →
Languages
Languages I speak and write.
English
Professional proficiency
Danish
Speaking proficiency
Tamil
Native or bilingual proficiency
Hindi
Professional proficiency
Telugu
Speaking proficiency
Japanese
Speaking proficiency
Robotics Projects & Solutions
Explore my portfolio of robotics projects, from autonomous systems to industrial automation solutions. Each project demonstrates expertise in software integration, hardware design, and system deployment.
Project 1:
Drawing robot
Description:
Developed a drawing robot capable of creating intricate designs on paper using pen plotter mechanisms. The robot utilizes stepper motors for precise movement and an embedded microcontroller for control and coordination of drawing tasks.
Key Achievements:
Designed the chasis in Fusion 360, designed the PCB in Altium and programmed the microcontroller in embedded C to control the drawing robot. Integrated motor control systems for precise movement and drawing execution.
Project 2:
Autonomous Field Marking Robot System
Description:
Developed and integrated software solutions for autonomous field marking robots at TurfTank. Implemented secure Ubuntu Core OS deployment using Snapcraft, enabling reliable and maintainable robot operations in sports field applications.
Key Achievements:
Built CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment. Optimized robot workflows and functionalities for production environments. Managed containerized services using Docker for reproducible development and deployment processes.
Project 3:
Drone-based 3D Area Localization & Mapping
Description:
Developed advanced 3D area mapping and localization systems only using monocular camera. The drone works by detecting and tracking features on consecutive frames and localizes them using kalman filter.
Technical Achievements:
Implemented ORB feature detection and kalman filter for localising the feature points. The simulation was done on Ureal Engine for better visualization of features. The points are then grouped to form a 3D pointcloud of the terrain.
Project 4:
Little Helper 8 — Collaborative Mobile Robot Platform
Description:
Developed and integrated software solutions for Little Helper 8, a collaborative mobile robot platform designed for industrial and research environments. Focused on autonomous navigation, human-robot interaction, and task planning for industrial applications.
Technical Contributions:
Implemented kinematic control for mecanum drive robot using a ROS-based control architecture for navigation and task execution. Integrated LiDAR and IMU sensor fusion for reliable indoor localization and obstacle detection. Implemented TEB local planner for dynamic path planning in cluttered environments.
Project 5:
Custom Multicore Processor Drone System
Description:
Built a custom multicore processor-based drone from the ground up for stabilization and navigation systems. This project involved collaboration with DTU and required expertise in 3D modeling, PCB design, and embedded C programming.
Technical Skills Applied:
Designed custom PCBs for flight control systems. Developed firmware for multicore processors handling real-time stabilization and navigation algorithms. Created 3D models for drone frame and component integration.
Project 6:
MBZIRC International Robotics Challenge
Description:
Participated in the Mohammed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC) 2020 in Abu Dhabi. Developed autonomous systems for aerial target detection and capture tasks using multiple UAVs with visual feedback and collaborative coordination.
Key Achievements:
Implemented vision-based target detection and autonomous approach algorithms. Developed multi-UAV collaboration frameworks for coordinated capture. Conducted extensive simulations in ROS-Gazebo environment with hardware implementation. Contributed to both Challenge 1 and Challenge 2 of the international competition.
Project 7:
Swarm Robotics Navigation & Coordination
Description:
Developed advanced swarm robotics algorithms for UAV-UGV coordination and collaborative navigation. Focused on achieving tasks together while avoiding obstacles. Main tasks include search and exploration tasks with minimal central coordination.
Technical Contributions:
Designed distributed swarm navigation simulations using ROS-gazebo framework. Implemented potential-based obstacle avoidance algorithm for UAVs and UGVs.
Project 8:
UAV-Based Survivor Search During Floods
Description:
Developed autonomous UAV systems for survivor search and rescue operations in flood-affected regions. This research-driven project combines probabilistic search patterns, efficient path planning, and computer vision for locating survivors across large geographic areas.
Research Impact:
Designed probabilistic search algorithms optimizing coverage and detection probability. Developed flight path planning algorithms for various survivors pattern scenarios. Presented research at the International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS 2019).
Project 9:
IMU-Based Biped Robot Joint Angle Sensing
Description:
Developed IMU-based sensing systems for biped robot joint angle measurement and feedback control. This project replaced traditional encoder-based feedback with MEMS inertial sensors for improved responsiveness and reduced mechanical complexity.
Technical Innovation:
Designed MEMS sensor integration for real-time joint feedback. Developed signal processing algorithms for IMU data filtering and angle estimation. Implemented control loops using inertial feedback for biped stability and locomotion.
Project 10:
ABU Robocon Competition
Description:
Participated in ABU Robocon 2016 and 2018, a prestigious international robotics competition. Contributed to the design and implementation of robots that had to complete complex mechanical and operational challenges against teams from universities worldwide.
Key Contributions:
Designed and programmed robot control systems for competition tasks. Implemented mechanical designs and hardware integration. Participated in competition testing and optimization. Collaborated with multi-disciplinary team on both hardware and software aspects of competition robotics.
Let's collaborate
Interested in robotics solutions, automation, or embedded systems? Let's discuss how we can work together.