Larry Korba

About

Larry Korba is a robotics researcher whose career has been defined by pioneering work in mobile robot sensing, navigation, and multi-sensor data fusion. Working primarily through the National Research Council of Canada, Korba dedicated his research efforts to solving one of robotics' most persistent challenges: enabling autonomous and teleoperated robots to perceive and navigate complex, unstructured environments reliably and cost-effectively. His most influential contribution, "Active Infrared Sensors for Mobile Robots" (1994), amassed 46 citations and introduced light-based ranging as a compelling alternative to the ultrasonic sensors that had long dominated robotic collision avoidance systems. This work helped redirect the field's attention toward more versatile and economical sensing technologies. Korba further advanced the discipline through investigations into variable aperture sonar arrays, the BIRIS range sensor prototype, and integrated multi-sensor fusion frameworks that combined positional estimation, obstacle detection, and environmental mapping into unified systems. Across his publication record, Korba consistently pursued practical, cost-effective sensor solutions while pushing the boundaries of how diverse sensing modalities could be intelligently combined. His cumulative body of work, totaling nearly 80 citations, represents a meaningful contribution to the foundational engineering that underpins modern mobile robotics and autonomous navigation research.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Active infrared sensors for mobile robots

   46 citations · 1994
2. 2
   Variable aperture sonar for mobile robots

   15 citations · 2002
3. 3
   Characterization and testing of the BIRIS range sensor

   7 citations · 2002
4. 4
   Active infrared sensors for robotics

   6 citations · 2002
5. 5
   Multi-sensor data fusion for mobile robot position recovery

   5 citations · 2002
6. 6
   Multisensor system for mobile robot navigation

   3 citations · 1996
7. 7
   Multi-sensor System For Mobile Robot Navigation

   2 citations · 2005

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links