Kyla Purdon

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Kyla Purdon is a robotics researcher whose work centers on accessible, open-source platforms for education and research development. Her major contributions include the design and evaluation of the Voyager ground mobile robotic platform, created to replace aging systems like the Pioneer and provide a modern, adaptable tool for robotics research. In comparative analyses with platforms such as the Pioneer 3-DX and Clearpath Robotics Jackal, Voyager demonstrated enhanced capabilities for diverse research applications. Purdon also advanced educational robotics through her work on the open-source AR3 robot arm, developed within the CSIR’s Learning Factory. This low-cost, Industry 4.0-aligned platform enables hands-on learning in automation and robotics fundamentals, making advanced technology accessible to students and small-scale automation processes. Her papers, each garnering 5 citations, reflect a focused impact on practical, reproducible robotics design. By prioritizing affordability and openness, Purdon’s work empowers researchers and educators to build upon robust, well-documented platforms, bridging the gap between commercial systems and custom-built solutions. Her contributions underscore a commitment to democratizing robotics technology for broader scientific and educational communities.