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About

David Robertson is a specialist in advanced control systems engineering, with a particular focus on robotics for nuclear decommissioning applications. His research centers on State-Dependent Parameter (SDP) modeling and control — a sophisticated approach to managing the complex nonlinear dynamics inherent in hydraulically actuated robotic systems operating in hazardous environments. Robertson's most significant contributions address one of the nuclear industry's pressing challenges: safely decommissioning the UK's substantial nuclear legacy. His landmark 2013 paper on state-dependent control of hydraulically actuated nuclear decommissioning robots, which has garnered 50 citations, established foundational methods for applying pole assignment control to nonlinear systems. This work, alongside earlier studies examining platforms such as the Brokk 40 mobile robot and Hydro-Lek HLK-7W dual-arm manipulator, demonstrates a coherent and sustained research program pushing the boundaries of precision robotic control in environments too dangerous for human operators. A notable thread throughout Robertson's work is his development of unified frameworks for calibration, data collection, and SDP model identification — practical contributions that bridge theoretical control engineering with real-world deployment. His accumulated citations reflect meaningful influence on both the robotics and nuclear engineering communities, making his research valuable reading for anyone exploring autonomous systems in safety-critical industrial settings.