Dr Olga Napolitano

Courses to be taught in 2025/26

• ME5015 Numerical Analysis and Computing
• ME5017 Electronic and Control Systems
• ME5071 Control Systems

My research is primarily focused on motion planning and control for mobile robots operating under uncertainty, with special emphasis on active sensing strategies. 

My research on active sensing control strategies focuses on integrating information-driven decision-making into robotic control loops. By leveraging information-theoretic metrics (e.g., state constructability and reachability measures), I design controllers that balance task objectives with the need to gather informative data, particularly in uncertain or partially observable environments.

Within the EU-funded DARKO project, I implemented an active sensing layer for risk-aware motion planning in industrial scenarios. 

I also explore hybrid strategies that combine model-based control with learning-based prediction to enhance perception in dynamic, real-world settings.

Specialisms

• Active Sensing and Control for Robotic Systems
• Nonlinear and Model Predictive Control
• Model Learning
• Optimal Estimation

Scholarly affiliations

• University of Pisa, Research Center "E. Piaggio"