Stephen Aston

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Stephen Aston is a robotics engineer whose work focuses on the development of specialized robotic systems for industrial automation, particularly in challenging environments like welding and vertical surfaces. His most notable contribution is the creation of "TigBot," a wall-climbing robot designed to automate tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding of stainless steel tanks. This innovative robot, developed with his team at the University of Canterbury, can carry a 4kg payload—including a welding torch, camera, and supporting hardware—while navigating vertical surfaces. Although his most-cited paper on this work has 4 citations, the project represents a significant practical achievement in merging robotics with high-precision manufacturing. By addressing the difficult task of automating TIG welding on curved tank walls, Aston’s research contributes to safer, more consistent, and more efficient industrial processes. His work exemplifies how robotics can solve real-world manufacturing challenges, reducing human exposure to hazardous welding environments while improving weld quality.