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About

Patrick A. Plonski is a robotics researcher whose work sits at the intersection of energy-efficient autonomy, mobile robot navigation, and environmental monitoring. His most recognized contribution lies in solar-powered mobile robotics, where his 2013 paper on energy-efficient path planning for solar-powered robots has garnered 50 citations, establishing foundational methods for extending the operational lifespan of autonomous systems through intelligent path selection. Building on this, Plonski developed techniques for constructing solar maps of complex outdoor environments, enabling robots to anticipate and harvest energy more effectively — a problem he approached with both algorithmic rigor and practical field deployment in mind. Beyond energy harvesting, Plonski has made meaningful contributions to habitat monitoring and ecological applications of robotics. His work on tracking radio-tagged invasive fish using teams of autonomous ground and surface vehicles demonstrates a commitment to real-world impact, combining search algorithms, obstacle avoidance, and multi-robot coordination in challenging field conditions. His navigation algorithms for unknown obstacle avoidance using forward-facing sonar further highlight his strengths in practical autonomy under uncertainty. With over 100 cumulative citations across his publications, Plonski represents a researcher who bridges theoretical algorithmic contributions with compelling applied deployments, making his work valuable to students pursuing autonomous systems, field robotics, or energy-aware mobile computing.