Samuel Lavoie
Papers
7
Total Citations
78
H-Index
5
About
Samuel Lavoie is a leading robotics engineer whose career has focused on revolutionizing the inspection and maintenance of electrical power infrastructure. His research centers on the design and control of specialized robotic systems for both overhead and underground distribution lines, addressing critical safety and efficiency challenges faced by utility companies. Lavoie’s most impactful contribution is the development of the discrete-time control algorithm for Hydro-Québec's LineDrone, a multirotor UAV capable of autonomously tracking and landing on live power lines—a world-first achievement detailed in his most-cited paper (34 citations). He has also pioneered mobile robotic platforms for hazardous underground vaults, including a novel 6-DOF serial manipulator, and developed climbing robots for pole line hardware installation. His work, spanning over a decade of field-tested prototypes at Hydro-Québec’s Research Institute (IREQ), has directly translated complex research into operational tools, with recent projects like the LineRanger robot expanding sensor deployment capabilities. With a career dedicated to making power grid maintenance safer and more reliable, Lavoie stands as a key figure in the field of utility robotics.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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