Mithila Panagoda

Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Mithila Panagoda is a robotics researcher whose work centers on autonomous navigation and motion planning for mobile robots in unknown environments. Their most impactful contribution is the development of a novel navigation algorithm using potential field graphs, introduced in their highly regarded 2022 paper, "Moving Robots in Unknown Environments Using Potential Field Graphs." This algorithm enables Robot Operating System (ROS)-based robots, such as the TurtleBot3 Burger, to achieve complete autonomous traversal in any given indoor setting without prior maps. By integrating potential field theory with graph-based path planning, Panagoda’s approach addresses critical challenges in real-time obstacle avoidance and adaptive route generation. The work has garnered 10 citations, reflecting its practical significance for researchers and engineers working on autonomous systems. Panagoda’s contributions are particularly valuable for advancing low-cost, scalable robotic platforms, making sophisticated navigation accessible for education and research. Their focus on bridging theoretical algorithms with real-world ROS implementation positions them as an emerging voice in the field of mobile robotics and intelligent navigation systems.