Thomas Schlechter

University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Thomas Schlechter is a robotics researcher whose work centers on autonomous exploration, sensor perception, and mobile robot navigation. His most significant contribution lies in advancing frontier-based exploration algorithms, a critical component for autonomous systems operating in unknown environments. His 2020 paper, "A Novel Frontier-Based Exploration Algorithm for Mobile Robots" (25 citations), introduces an innovative approach that combines frontier exploration with a utility function to dynamically determine optimal robot goals, implemented using the Robot Operating System. This work is complemented by his comprehensive review of utility and cost functions in frontier-based exploration (11 citations), which provides a foundational resource for researchers in applications like Urban Search and Rescue. Schlechter has also made notable contributions to sensor technology, comparing the reflectivity of materials using active sensors such as radar, lidar, and ultrasonic, and exploring sensor fusion techniques. Most recently, his 2024 paper on Spatial-Radon and Doppler Aggregated Radar Odometry presents a statistically robust method for 2D odometry estimation using radar-generated images, validated with real-world data. With a growing citation record and a focus on practical, real-world robotics challenges, Schlechter is establishing himself as a thoughtful contributor to autonomous systems research.