Papers
6
Total Citations
73
H-Index
3
About
Simon Perkins is a researcher whose work spans an intriguing breadth of disciplines, from autonomous robotic systems and optical astronomy to evolutionary computation and artificial intelligence. He is perhaps best known for his foundational contributions to the RAPTOR (Rapid Telescopes for Optical Response) experiment, a pioneering network of spatially distributed, autonomous robotic telescopes designed to monitor the optical sky in real time and detect short-duration transient phenomena. This work, published in 2002, has garnered 55 citations and represents a significant advance in real-time astronomical observation systems, blending cutting-edge robotics with astrophysical research goals. Beyond astronomy, Perkins has made notable contributions to evolutionary robotics and machine learning, particularly exploring how genetic programming and behavioral shaping techniques can be used to evolve complex visual tracking behaviors in robotic systems. His research demonstrated that structured, incremental learning strategies could overcome challenges that would otherwise defeat automated controllers. He has also contributed to computational geometry through work on Field D* path-finding algorithms on triangulated and tetrahedral meshes. Across these diverse domains, Perkins exemplifies interdisciplinary innovation, connecting robotics, computer vision, evolutionary algorithms, and observational astronomy in a uniquely wide-ranging research career.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Field D* path-finding on weighted triangulated and tetrahedral meshes8 citations · 2012
- 3EVOLVING COMPLEX VISUAL BEHAVIOURS USING GENETIC PROGRAMMING AND SHAPING4 citations · 2000
- 4Incremental Acquisition of Complex Behaviour by Structured Evolution2 citations · 1998
- 5Evolving effective visual tracking through shaping2 citations · 1999
- 6Searching for optical transients in real-time : the RAPTOR experiment /.2 citations · 2002