P. Bellutta

Papers

Total Citations

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About

P. Bellutta is a leading figure in autonomous robotics, with key research spanning unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) perception and planetary rover operations. Their major contributions include pioneering work on passive-only thermal infrared cameras for off-road navigation, enabling UGVs to operate day or night without detectable electromagnetic emissions—a critical capability for military applications. This foundational work, published in 2011, has garnered 52 citations, underscoring its influence on field robotics. Bellutta also played a pivotal role in the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) mission, co-authoring a 2014 study on evolving operational tactics for Spirit and Opportunity as they far exceeded their three-month design life. This work, with 11 citations, highlights their expertise in managing aging robotic systems under extreme conditions, contributing to over a decade of continuous Martian surface operations. Bellutta’s achievements bridge terrestrial and extraterrestrial autonomy, demonstrating a rare ability to solve real-world challenges in both defense and space exploration. Their research remains essential reading for students and engineers advancing robust, long-duration robotic systems.