Jesse M. Thomas
Papers
2
Total Citations
46
H-Index
2
About
Jesse M. Thomas is a leading researcher in marine robotics, specializing in autonomous surface vehicles and their integration with environmental data for persistent ocean monitoring. His work centers on the critical challenge of reliable, long-duration navigation for robotic platforms that harness natural propulsion, such as the Wave Glider. Thomas’s major contributions lie in developing predictive models that translate wave model data into accurate speed forecasts for these vehicles. His most-cited paper, "Predicting the speed of a Wave Glider autonomous surface vehicle from wave model data" (2014, 32 citations), provides a foundational framework for path planning in dynamic oceanic environments, enabling robots to reach optimal data-collection locations despite shifting currents. Complementing this, his 2013 analysis of regression models (14 citations) rigorously evaluates predictive accuracy, offering practical tools for real-world deployment. Thomas’s work has significantly advanced persistent monitoring capabilities, allowing marine robots to operate autonomously over months for applications like climate tracking and ecosystem surveillance. His research bridges robotics and oceanography, ensuring that autonomous vehicles can navigate reliably to capture critical data in ever-changing seas.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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