<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="yes"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"><channel><title>Details | Saikiran Juttu | Robotics Portfolio</title><link>https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/details/</link><atom:link href="https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/details/index.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><description>Details</description><generator>Hugo Blox Builder (https://hugoblox.com)</generator><language>en-us</language><lastBuildDate>Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000</lastBuildDate><image><url>https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/media/icon_hu7729264130191091259.png</url><title>Details</title><link>https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/details/</link></image><item><title>Robotics Engineer Co-op</title><link>https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/details/robotics-coop/</link><pubDate>Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/details/robotics-coop/</guid><description>&lt;h2 id="overview">Overview&lt;/h2>
&lt;p>Worked at Northeastern University on:&lt;/p>
&lt;hr>
&lt;h3 id="sensor-integration">Sensor Integration&lt;/h3>
&lt;p>Integrated &lt;strong>3D LiDAR and Intel RealSense&lt;/strong> sensors with the &lt;strong>Scout Mini Rover&lt;/strong> via CAN protocol in ROS 2, deployed on &lt;strong>Jetson AGX Orin&lt;/strong> for synchronized perception, sensor fusion, and reliable HW–SW communication.&lt;/p>
&lt;p>&lt;strong>Physical Setup&lt;/strong>
&lt;figure >
&lt;div class="flex justify-center ">
&lt;div class="w-100" >&lt;img src="https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/uploads/Robot.jpeg" alt="Scout Mini Rover Setup" loading="lazy" data-zoomable />&lt;/div>
&lt;/div>&lt;/figure>
&lt;/p>
&lt;h3 id="slam-implementation">SLAM Implementation&lt;/h3>
&lt;p>Implemented ROS 2-based &lt;strong>SLAM systems&lt;/strong> using:&lt;/p>
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>RTAB-Map&lt;/li>
&lt;li>LIO-SAM&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Visual-Inertial Odometry (VIO)&lt;/li>
&lt;li>SLAM Toolbox&lt;br>
In C++/Python with Nav2 for improved localization in GPS-denied environments.&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul>
&lt;p>&lt;strong>RTAB-Map Demo:&lt;/strong>&lt;/p>
&lt;video controls width="100%" muted autoplay loop>
&lt;source src="https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/uploads/RTAB_demo.mp4" type="video/mp4">
&lt;/video>
&lt;p>&lt;strong>LIO-SAM Screenshot:&lt;/strong>&lt;/p>
&lt;p>
&lt;figure >
&lt;div class="flex justify-center ">
&lt;div class="w-100" >&lt;img src="https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/uploads/lio_sam.png" alt="LIO-SAM Visualization" loading="lazy" data-zoomable />&lt;/div>
&lt;/div>&lt;/figure>
&lt;/p>
&lt;hr>
&lt;h3 id="uav-motion-planning">UAV Motion Planning&lt;/h3>
&lt;p>Developed &lt;strong>waypoint navigation and motion planning&lt;/strong> pipelines for &lt;strong>Crazyflie and DJI Tello&lt;/strong> using the &lt;strong>OptiTrack motion capture system&lt;/strong>.&lt;/p>
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>Automated takeoff&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Precision landing&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Closed-loop control with state estimation&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul>
&lt;hr>
&lt;h3 id="semantic-perception-with-vlms">Semantic Perception with VLMs&lt;/h3>
&lt;p>Exploring integration of &lt;strong>Vision-Language Models (VLMs)&lt;/strong> to:&lt;/p>
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>Enhance indoor semantic navigation&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Reduce localization drift&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Enable autonomous scene understanding&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul></description></item><item><title>Graduate Research Assistant</title><link>https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/details/grad-research-assistant/</link><pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/details/grad-research-assistant/</guid><description>&lt;h2 id="overview">Overview&lt;/h2>
&lt;p>Worked at the Multi-Agent Robotics and Autonomy Lab on:&lt;/p>
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>UAV–UGV exploration in Gazebo (ROS2, C++)&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Incremental PRM planner (C++/Python)&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Custom drone hardware for GPS-denied flight&lt;/li>
&lt;li>MATLAB vision-based IK solver &amp;amp; motion planning&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Simscape robotic arm with real+sim integration&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul></description></item><item><title>Brakes &amp; Testing Head — BAJA SAE Off-Road Racing</title><link>https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/details/brakes_testing_head/</link><pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/details/brakes_testing_head/</guid><description>&lt;h2 id="overview">Overview&lt;/h2>
&lt;p>&lt;strong>Role:&lt;/strong> Brakes and Testing Head&lt;br>
&lt;strong>Team:&lt;/strong> Off-Road Racing Team — NIT Jalandhar&lt;br>
&lt;strong>Duration:&lt;/strong> Jan 2017 – May 2019&lt;/p>
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>Led end-to-end development of high-performance ATV brake systems.&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Built India’s &lt;strong>lightest ATV&lt;/strong> for BAJA SAE 2019.&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Achieved &lt;strong>4th fastest ATV&lt;/strong> at BAJA SAE Illinois 2017.&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Delivered robust braking under extreme off-road and endurance conditions.
&lt;figure >
&lt;div class="flex justify-center ">
&lt;div class="w-100" >&lt;img src="https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/uploads/experience.jpg" alt="" loading="lazy" data-zoomable />&lt;/div>
&lt;/div>&lt;/figure>
&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul>
&lt;hr>
&lt;h2 id="full-lifecycle-mechanical-design">Full Lifecycle Mechanical Design&lt;/h2>
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>&lt;strong>Concept to CAD:&lt;/strong> Designed floating brake calipers and dual-rotor configurations in &lt;strong>Catia V5&lt;/strong>.&lt;/li>
&lt;li>&lt;strong>Simulation &amp;amp; Analysis:&lt;/strong> Validated all designs using &lt;strong>ANSYS 16.0&lt;/strong> (thermal &amp;amp; static structural).&lt;/li>
&lt;li>&lt;strong>Prototyping &amp;amp; Testing:&lt;/strong> Built physical test setups using &lt;strong>Arduino, load cells, and sensors&lt;/strong>.&lt;/li>
&lt;li>&lt;strong>DFM &amp;amp; Machining:&lt;/strong> Translated CAD into manufacturable parts using CNC machining and lathe operations.&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul>
&lt;hr>
&lt;h3 id="brake-caliper-design--simulation">Brake Caliper Design &amp;amp; Simulation&lt;/h3>
&lt;p>Developed and validated a custom &lt;strong>floating brake caliper&lt;/strong> to suit the geometry of a compact, lightweight ATV with extreme off-road use cases.&lt;/p>
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>Designed from scratch in &lt;strong>Catia V5&lt;/strong> to match suspension and rotor configurations&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Performed &lt;strong>FEA-based stress testing&lt;/strong> in &lt;strong>ANSYS&lt;/strong> to validate mechanical strength under peak braking loads&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Conducted &lt;strong>iterative simulations&lt;/strong> to minimize deflection and ensure even brake pad wear&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Assembly designed with DFM principles, ease of maintenance&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul>
&lt;h4 id="cad-exploded-view">CAD Exploded View&lt;/h4>
&lt;p>
&lt;figure >
&lt;div class="flex justify-center ">
&lt;div class="w-100" >&lt;img src="https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/uploads/calliper_assembly.jpg" alt="Exploded view of caliper assembly" loading="lazy" data-zoomable />&lt;/div>
&lt;/div>&lt;/figure>
&lt;/p>
&lt;h4 id="ansys-fea-analysis">ANSYS FEA Analysis&lt;/h4>
&lt;p>
&lt;figure >
&lt;div class="flex justify-center ">
&lt;div class="w-100" >&lt;img src="https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/uploads/caliper_ansys.jpg" alt="FEA Stress Simulation in ANSYS" loading="lazy" data-zoomable />&lt;/div>
&lt;/div>&lt;/figure>
&lt;/p>
&lt;hr>
&lt;h2 id="structural--thermal-analysis-fea">Structural &amp;amp; Thermal Analysis (FEA)&lt;/h2>
&lt;h3 id="rear-brake-rotor">Rear Brake Rotor&lt;/h3>
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>Conducted &lt;strong>transient thermal analysis&lt;/strong> for heat dissipation during prolonged braking.&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Used vented profiles to reduce thermal hotspots and fade.&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul>
&lt;p>
&lt;figure >
&lt;div class="flex justify-center ">
&lt;div class="w-100" >&lt;img src="https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/uploads/rear_rotor_thermal.jpg" alt="Rear Rotor Thermal" loading="lazy" data-zoomable />&lt;/div>
&lt;/div>&lt;/figure>
&lt;br>
*Rear Rotor — Thermal Simulation *&lt;/p>
&lt;p>
&lt;figure >
&lt;div class="flex justify-center ">
&lt;div class="w-100" >&lt;img src="https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/uploads/rear_rotor.jpg" alt="Rear Rotor Stress" loading="lazy" data-zoomable />&lt;/div>
&lt;/div>&lt;/figure>
&lt;br>
*Rear Rotor — Static Structural FEA *&lt;/p>
&lt;hr>
&lt;h3 id="front-brake-rotor">Front Brake Rotor&lt;/h3>
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>Combined &lt;strong>aluminum core&lt;/strong> with &lt;strong>SS420 stainless steel coating&lt;/strong> for weight and heat resistance.&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Optimized spoke pattern for mechanical integrity with minimal mass.&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul>
&lt;p>
&lt;figure >
&lt;div class="flex justify-center ">
&lt;div class="w-100" >&lt;img src="https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/uploads/front_rotor_thermal.jpg" alt="Front Rotor Thermal" loading="lazy" data-zoomable />&lt;/div>
&lt;/div>&lt;/figure>
&lt;br>
&lt;em>Front Rotor — Thermal Analysis&lt;/em>&lt;/p>
&lt;p>
&lt;figure >
&lt;div class="flex justify-center ">
&lt;div class="w-100" >&lt;img src="https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/uploads/Front_rotor.jpg" alt="Front Rotor Stress" loading="lazy" data-zoomable />&lt;/div>
&lt;/div>&lt;/figure>
&lt;br>
&lt;em>Front Rotor — Structural Stress Analysis&lt;/em>&lt;/p>
&lt;hr>
&lt;h2 id="brake-pedal-design--validation">Brake Pedal Design &amp;amp; Validation&lt;/h2>
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>Designed and analyzed &lt;strong>pedal assembly&lt;/strong> with custom mount.&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Validated force distribution using &lt;strong>FEA&lt;/strong> and real-time &lt;strong>load cell logging&lt;/strong>.&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul>
&lt;p>
&lt;figure >
&lt;div class="flex justify-center ">
&lt;div class="w-100" >&lt;img src="https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/uploads/Brake_pedal_ansys.png" alt="Brake Pedal ANSYS" loading="lazy" data-zoomable />&lt;/div>
&lt;/div>&lt;/figure>
&lt;br>
&lt;em>Brake Pedal — Stress Zones&lt;/em>&lt;/p>
&lt;p>
&lt;figure >
&lt;div class="flex justify-center ">
&lt;div class="w-100" >&lt;img src="https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/uploads/pedal_mounting.png" alt="Pedal Mounting" loading="lazy" data-zoomable />&lt;/div>
&lt;/div>&lt;/figure>
&lt;br>
&lt;em>Custom Bracket — Pedal Mount Geometry&lt;/em>&lt;/p>
&lt;hr>
&lt;h2 id="prototyping-fabrication--machining">Prototyping, Fabrication &amp;amp; Machining&lt;/h2>
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>Designed parts for &lt;strong>machinability and DFM&lt;/strong> — ensured tolerances for &lt;strong>hydraulic caliper&lt;/strong> alignment.&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Utilized &lt;strong>CNC&lt;/strong>, &lt;strong>lathe&lt;/strong>, and conventional machining techniques for part manufacturing.&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Fabricated and tested prototypes under simulated track conditions.&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Assembled and field-tested brake components on the &lt;strong>actual ATV chassis&lt;/strong>.&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul>
&lt;hr>
&lt;h2 id="experimental-testing">Experimental Testing&lt;/h2>
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>Developed a &lt;strong>custom rig&lt;/strong> using &lt;strong>Arduino Uno&lt;/strong>, &lt;strong>LDR&lt;/strong>, and &lt;strong>load cell sensors&lt;/strong> to measure:
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>Acceleration during braking&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Pedal force vs stopping distance&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Response time&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul>
&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul>
&lt;p>
&lt;figure >
&lt;div class="flex justify-center ">
&lt;div class="w-100" >&lt;img src="https://juttu-s.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/saikiran_juttu.github.io/uploads/test.png" alt="Test Rig" loading="lazy" data-zoomable />&lt;/div>
&lt;/div>&lt;/figure>
&lt;br>
&lt;em>On-field brake performance testing with Arduino sensor rig&lt;/em>&lt;/p>
&lt;hr>
&lt;h2 id="tools--skills">Tools &amp;amp; Skills&lt;/h2>
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>&lt;strong>CAD:&lt;/strong> Catia V5, SolidWorks&lt;/li>
&lt;li>&lt;strong>Simulation:&lt;/strong> ANSYS (Thermal, Structural), FEA, hand calculations&lt;/li>
&lt;li>&lt;strong>Prototyping:&lt;/strong> CNC, lathe, drilling, aluminum fabrication&lt;/li>
&lt;li>&lt;strong>Testing:&lt;/strong> Arduino, load cells, custom rigs&lt;/li>
&lt;li>&lt;strong>Design for Manufacturing (DFM)&lt;/strong>&lt;/li>
&lt;li>&lt;strong>Material Selection:&lt;/strong> Aluminum, SS420, brake pad composites&lt;/li>
&lt;li>&lt;strong>Team Leadership &amp;amp; Documentation&lt;/strong>&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul>
&lt;hr>
&lt;h2 id="outcomes">Outcomes&lt;/h2>
&lt;ul>
&lt;li>Reduced brake system weight by &lt;strong>40%&lt;/strong>.&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Increased thermal capacity and structural durability.&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Enabled modular swap-out of brake parts for different terrains.&lt;/li>
&lt;li>Competitive performance in national/international SAE racing events.&lt;/li>
&lt;/ul></description></item></channel></rss>