When
Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
Fabio Curti
Associate Professor
Department of Systems and Industrial Engineering
Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
The University of Arizona.
"Robotics at the Edge of Physics: Intelligent Systems for CERN’s High-Risk, High-Complexity Environments"
ENGR, Room 301
Abstract: The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) hosts some of the most complex underground experimental environments in the world, where extreme conditions, constrained access, and strict safety requirements present significant operational challenges. Within this context, CERN has established a research group under the DRD8 program (Robotics and Intelligent Systems for Particle Physics Applications) to develop and deploy advanced robotic solutions that support operation, inspection, and maintenance, particularly in demanding environments such as underground caverns and areas characterized by high radiation and strong magnetic fields.
A key component of this effort is a global institutional partnership driving research and innovation in robotics for particle physics. This collaboration includes The University of Arizona, with Curti serving as team leader. In collaboration with the Systems and Industrial Engineering department, this work focuses on designing and implementing robotic systems tailored for deployment in CERN’s subterranean caverns, supporting particle accelerator infrastructure and detector maintenance.
This talk explores these emerging applications, highlighting how such systems enhance safety, efficiency and operational continuity in hazardous and inaccessible environments. Finally, future directions are outlined, including the integration of artificial intelligence for adaptive decision-making, multi-robot coordination and the potential expansion of robotic technologies across other large-scale scientific facilities.
Bio: Fabio Curti is an associate professor in the Department of Systems and Industrial Engineering (SIE) and the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME) at The University of Arizona. In SIE, he serves as the director of the Automation, Robotics and Control for Aerospace Arizona Lab (ARCA² Lab). He also serves as the University of Arizona team leader for the Robotics and Intelligent Systems for Particle Physics Applications research program at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).
His research interests include space domain awareness, guidance, navigation and control and space robotics. His research projects have been funded, among others, by ASFOR, the European Space Agency, the Italian Space Agency, Leonardo and Thales Alenia Space.
He is a member of the Space Automation and Robotics Technical Committee (SARTC) of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and of the Study Group on Optimization of Aerospace Trajectories of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). He has authored or co-authored approximately 160 papers in international peer-reviewed journals and conferences, as well as two patents on the use of star sensors for detecting resident space objects and estimating spacecraft angular velocity.