Robotics & Autonomy
Enabling Intelligent Systems for Complex and Dynamic Environments
Autonomous systems are transforming how we operate in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. From unmanned aircraft and autonomous vehicles to intelligent sensing networks and robotic decision-making systems, autonomy is becoming a critical component of national security, economic competitiveness, and technological innovation.
The National Security Institute’s Robotics and Autonomy pillar brings together researchers across engineering, computer science, aerospace, and applied research to develop intelligent systems capable of operating safely, reliably, and effectively in complex environments.
Penn State researchers are advancing technologies that enable autonomous perception, navigation, decision-making, and human-machine collaboration, creating systems that can extend operational reach, improve resilience, and support mission-critical applications.
Why It Matters
Future national security challenges will increasingly depend on systems that can operate with greater independence, adaptability, and resilience.
Whether responding to natural disasters, monitoring critical infrastructure, supporting military operations, conducting maritime surveillance, or enabling autonomous flight, robotic systems must be capable of making informed decisions in uncertain and rapidly changing environments.
Penn State researchers are developing technologies that:
- Improve autonomous decision-making
- Enable resilient navigation in contested environments
- Advance human-machine teaming
- Support autonomous air, land, space, and maritime systems
- Integrate artificial intelligence with robotics
- Enhance sensing, perception, and situational awareness
- Improve safety, reliability, and trust in autonomous systems
- Multi-domain coordination
Areas of Excellence
Autonomous Flight Systems
Penn State researchers are internationally recognized for developing autonomous aircraft capable of operating in complex environments. Research includes path planning, flight controls, perception, cooperative operations, and long-duration autonomous missions.
Intelligent Decision-Making
Faculty are developing algorithms that allow autonomous systems to reason, adapt, and make decisions under uncertainty. These capabilities are essential for future defense, transportation, and infrastructure applications.
Maritime Autonomy
Researchers are advancing autonomous surface and underwater systems that can support environmental monitoring, maritime security, and operations in challenging ocean environments.
Human-Machine Teaming
Penn State is developing technologies that improve collaboration between people and autonomous systems, ensuring that human operators remain informed, empowered, and effective in increasingly automated environments.
Resilient Sensing and Navigation
Research focuses on enabling robotic systems to operate when traditional communications, positioning systems, or sensor networks are degraded or unavailable.
Faculty Leadership Spotlight
Herschel Pangborn
Shuman Family Early Career Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering
Herschel Pangborn’s research spans control, optimization, and verification of autonomous systems. This includes motion and mission planning for ground and aerial vehicles, with mission requirements encoded in optimization programs tailored for real-time embedded implementation. He has also developed hierarchical controllers to coordinate propulsion, power, and thermal management of military aircraft, maximizing their performance, range, and resilience. Pangborn was a Summer Faculty Fellow with AFRL in 2020 and received the ONR Young Investigator Program Award in 2025. His research has been funded by AFRL, ONR, NASA, Sandia National Laboratories, Pratt & Whitney, Northrop Grumman, and Peraton, among others.
Featured Research Themes
Autonomous Air Systems
Penn State researchers are developing next-generation autonomous aircraft systems capable of operating with limited human intervention while adapting to changing environmental and mission conditions.
Research includes:
- Autonomous navigation
- Flight controls
- Cooperative aircraft systems
- Energy-aware autonomy
- Long-endurance flight
- Distributed sensing
- Adaptive mission planning
Maritime Robotics
Researchers are creating intelligent maritime systems capable of operating in dynamic and uncertain environments.
Research includes:
- Autonomous marine vehicles
- Ocean sensing
- Underwater robotics
- Maritime situational awareness
- Environmental monitoring
- Infrastructure inspection
AI-Enabled Autonomy
Penn State researchers are integrating machine learning, optimization, and artificial intelligence into autonomous systems that can learn, adapt, and make decisions in real time.
Applications include:
- Mission planning
- Resource allocation
- Human-machine teaming
- Multi-agent systems
- Predictive analytics
- Resilient operations
Strategic Impact
The Robotics and Autonomy pillar brings together expertise that spans the full autonomy ecosystem—from sensing and perception to decision-making and deployment. This integrated approach enables Penn State researchers to develop technologies that address real-world challenges while training the next generation of engineers and researchers who will design, operate, and govern intelligent systems.
By combining expertise in autonomous flight, maritime robotics, machine learning, controls, and human-machine collaboration, Penn State is helping shape the future of intelligent systems that will strengthen national security and societal resilience.
Latest News and Research
A Penn State aerospace engineering student-led team has been selected as a stage two winner for their Emergency Response Flyer prototype in the NASA-backed, global competition GoAERO.
Penn State researchers are capitalizing on unique biological features found in the living ecosystem to develop and expand the field of biorobotics.
Penn State researchers continue developing intelligent flight systems capable of operating efficiently in dynamic environments.
Herschel Pangborn’s research focuses on autonomous systems and control, creating algorithms that allow engineered systems to make decisions on their own.
Partner with NSI
Penn State welcomes collaborations with government agencies, defense organizations, industry partners, and research institutions interested in advancing robotics, autonomy, artificial intelligence, and intelligent systems.