Igor Zhilin

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Igor Zhilin is a leading robotics researcher specializing in autonomous underwater systems and swarm robotics. His work centers on developing heterogeneous robotic platforms for complex underwater missions, from environmental monitoring to industrial inspection. Zhilin’s most impactful contribution is the H-SURF system, a heterogeneous swarm of underwater robotic fish that cooperate through decentralized control algorithms to perform coordinated tasks—a breakthrough that has garnered 19 citations since 2022. He further advanced the field with the Nukhada USV, an unmanned surface vehicle designed for autonomous surveying and supporting underwater operations, demonstrating real-world deployment capability. His latest work on the H-SURF modular platform introduces three distinct robotic units—floater, sinker, and fish—for semi-autonomous, wireless subsea inspection, offering a flexible alternative to traditional tethered ROVs. Based at the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi, Zhilin’s research bridges theoretical swarm intelligence with practical marine robotics, pushing the boundaries of how autonomous systems can operate in challenging underwater environments. His work is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of cooperative underwater robotics.