Caitlin Powers

Papers

Total Citations

605

H-Index

About

Caitlin Powers is a pioneering robotics researcher whose work has fundamentally advanced the field of multi-rotor aerial systems. Her primary research areas include swarm robotics, micro aerial vehicle (MAV) design, and the complex aerodynamics of close-proximity flight. Powers is best known for her seminal 2013 paper, "Towards a Swarm of Agile Micro Quadrotors," which has garnered over 418 citations and laid the groundwork for coordinated, autonomous drone swarms. In this work, she demonstrated how small, agile quadrotors could navigate tight spaces and perform synchronized maneuvers, opening new possibilities for search-and-rescue, environmental monitoring, and entertainment. Her equally influential study, "Influence of Aerodynamics and Proximity Effects in Quadrotor Flight" (187 citations), provided critical insights into the turbulent wake interactions and ground effects that occur when drones fly in close formation. By modeling these forces, Powers enabled more stable and efficient swarm operations. Her contributions have been recognized with multiple best paper awards and have inspired a new generation of researchers to explore the frontiers of cooperative flight.