Joshua Vasquez

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Joshua Vasquez is a robotics researcher whose work has advanced the frontier of autonomous underwater mapping, particularly in challenging, unstructured environments. His primary research areas include three-dimensional underwater mapping, sensor fusion, and localization for submersible robots. Vasquez’s most notable contribution is his 2013 paper, "Towards three-dimensional underwater mapping without odometry," which introduced a novel method for creating 3D maps of underwater cisterns and wells using a submersible robot equipped with two scanning sonars and a compass. This work was groundbreaking because it eliminated the need for traditional odometry, instead relying on a particle filter for offline simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), enabling accurate reconstruction in GPS-denied, low-visibility conditions. While his citation count (4) reflects a niche but specialized audience, the paper’s impact lies in its practical application for archaeological and environmental surveys of submerged structures. Vasquez’s research demonstrates a keen ability to solve real-world mapping challenges, making his contributions valuable for students and engineers working on autonomous underwater vehicles and sensor-based navigation in complex aquatic terrains.