Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Duo-Min He has dedicated his career to solving one of the most persistent challenges in underwater robotics: seeing clearly through turbid water. His research centers on optical imaging and laser-based sensing for Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Underwater Robotic Vehicles (URVs), where poor visibility has long hindered remote piloting and autonomous operation. He is best known for his work on divergent-beam lidar imaging, a technique that improves image acquisition in murky conditions, as detailed in his most-cited paper (78 citations). He has also advanced range-gated imaging systems, which use pulsed lasers and timed shutters to filter out backscatter from suspended particles, effectively extending the visual reach of underwater cameras. Beyond these core contributions, He has explored how the geometry of active illumination—specifically the volume of light cast—affects image quality in turbid environments. His work addresses a fundamental bottleneck in underwater robotics, where sonar offers range but lacks resolution, and conventional optics fail in poor water quality. By developing practical, physics-based solutions for optical image sensing, He has helped lay the groundwork for more capable underwater vision systems, directly supporting advances in remote exploration, inspection, and intervention tasks.