Paul N. Whatmough

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About

Paul N. Whatmough is a leading researcher at the intersection of computer architecture, machine learning, and autonomous systems, with a particular focus on cyber-physical co-design for aerial robots. His most influential work introduces the groundbreaking “Formula-1” (F-1) roofline model, a visual performance framework that reveals the fundamental relationships between sensor framerate, compute performance, and body dynamics in autonomous machines. This model, detailed in his highly cited 2020 paper “The Sky Is Not the Limit” (33 citations), provides architects with a systematic methodology for building balanced computing systems for drones and other aerial platforms. Building on this foundation, his 2021 work on machine learning-based automated design space exploration (11 citations) offers a novel approach to domain-specific architecture design, addressing the critical challenge of optimizing onboard compute for autonomous aerial robots. Whatmough’s contributions are particularly notable for bridging the gap between hardware design and real-world robotic constraints, making his research essential for engineers and students working on next-generation autonomous systems. His work has become a cornerstone for understanding how to co-design computing and physical dynamics in the rapidly evolving field of autonomous machines.