Timothy J. Whelan

National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Juravinski Cancer Centre

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Timothy J. Whelan is a researcher whose work bridges the domains of robotics, spatial mapping, and health economics. His primary research areas include point cloud processing for autonomous systems and the application of cost-benefit analysis to emerging medical technologies. Whelan’s most notable contribution is his 2014 paper, “Incremental and batch planar simplification of dense point cloud maps,” which has garnered 48 citations. This work introduced efficient algorithms for simplifying dense 3D point cloud data—a critical challenge in robotics for real-time mapping and navigation. By enabling both incremental and batch processing, his methods improved the computational feasibility of handling large-scale environmental data, directly impacting fields like autonomous driving and drone navigation. In a striking interdisciplinary pivot, Whelan also co-authored a 2013 study on robotic radiosurgery for brain metastases, applying willingness-to-pay frameworks to evaluate this costly, emerging treatment. Though less cited, this work demonstrates his versatility in tackling resource allocation in healthcare. Whelan’s research exemplifies how technical expertise in robotics can inform practical decision-making across domains, from spatial mapping to medical economics.