Michael A. Shoemaker

Kyushu University, a.i. solutions (United States)

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About

Michael A. Shoemaker is a leading researcher in vision-based navigation and guidance for robotic vehicles, drawing inspiration from biological systems like flying insects. His key research areas include optic flow integration, terrain-relative navigation, and autonomous spacecraft guidance. Shoemaker’s major contributions center on developing algorithms that enable vehicles to navigate using visual cues without relying on GPS or external signals. His 2013 paper, “Comparison of Integrated and Nonintegrated Wide-Field Optic Flow for Vehicle Navigation,” has garnered 6 citations and advanced understanding of how wide-field integration of optic flow can mimic insect navigation for robust, low-latency control. Shoemaker also played a pivotal role in the NASA Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission (ARRM), where he developed the Relative Terrain Imaging Navigation (RETINA) tool. This work, cited 4 times, provides onboard algorithms for autonomously navigating spacecraft to collect boulders from asteroids and return them to lunar orbit. By bridging bio-inspired principles with practical aerospace engineering, Shoemaker’s research has significant implications for future planetary exploration and autonomous vehicle systems, making him a notable contributor to the field of robotic navigation.