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About

Mahardhika Pratama is a leading researcher at the intersection of aerial robotics, autonomous systems, and intelligent control. His work focuses on enabling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to operate safely and effectively in complex, real-world environments—particularly in GPS-denied or confined spaces. Pratama’s most cited paper, “Inspection-while-flying: An autonomous contact-based nondestructive test using UAV-tools” (60 citations), introduces a groundbreaking method for UAVs to perform physical inspections of infrastructure while airborne, a critical capability for industrial maintenance. He has also advanced UAV control in close proximities, studying the “ceiling effect” on battery life to improve energy-efficient flight near surfaces. His research extends to deep neuromorphic controllers with dynamic topologies for aerial robots, enabling adaptive learning and morphing capabilities for diverse missions. Pratama has contributed to underground localization using lidar-inertial odometry, allowing UAVs to navigate deep tunnels without GPS. Additionally, he has explored brain-computer interfaces and online learning strategies for data streams, demonstrating versatility across robotics and neurocomputing. With over 90 total citations, Pratama’s work is foundational for next-generation autonomous aerial systems that can inspect, navigate, and interact with their surroundings.