Haoda Wang

Columbia University, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Haoda Wang is a leading researcher in planetary robotics and autonomous navigation, with a focus on enabling long-range, precise mobility for Mars exploration missions. His primary research areas include global localization, visual odometry, and robust perception systems for extraterrestrial rovers. Wang’s major contributions center on developing onboard global localization frameworks that allow planetary rovers to autonomously correct position uncertainty accumulated during long drives—a critical capability for missions like NASA’s Perseverance rover. His 2024 paper, “Enabling Long & Precise Drives for The Perseverance Mars Rover via Onboard Global Localization” (17 citations), demonstrates how his methods empower rovers to traverse vast distances between scientifically valuable sites while maintaining accurate positioning. In “Censible: A Robust and Practical Global Localization Framework for Planetary Surface Missions” (7 citations), Wang introduces a system that replaces manual human localization with automated, reliable onboard computation, significantly increasing driving efficiency and scientific return. His work has been instrumental in advancing autonomous exploration, reducing reliance on Earth-based operators, and enabling rovers to reach previously inaccessible terrain. Wang’s research stands at the intersection of robotics, computer vision, and space exploration, with direct impact on current and future planetary missions.