Leo Kong

Papers

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About

Leo Kong is a leading researcher in the safety and resilience of autonomous robotic systems, with a particular focus on offshore energy infrastructure. His work pioneers the integration of runtime safety compliance and self-certification for robotics platforms operating in hazardous, beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) environments. Kong’s most cited paper, “Self-Certification and Safety Compliance for Robotics Platforms” (2020, 16 citations), introduces a transferable framework for verifying safety during autonomous missions, demonstrated through asset inspection in confined spaces. This foundational contribution addresses a critical gap in certifying robots for real-world deployment. Expanding on this, Kong’s research on symbiotic systems of systems design (2021, 4 and 3 citations) proposes a novel methodology for safe, resilient autonomous operations in offshore wind farms. By enabling lifecycle learning and co-evolution between robotic platforms and remote human operators, his work aims to drastically reduce the 80% personnel-related operation and maintenance costs in the sector. Kong’s achievements lie in bridging the gap between theoretical safety frameworks and practical, high-stakes applications, positioning him as a key innovator in making autonomous robotics viable for critical industrial infrastructure.