Domenico Longo

Biography

Graduated in Electronic Engineering (Specialization in Automatic-Robotic Controls) at the University of Catania in 2001; qualified for the profession of Engineer. In February 2005 he holds the title of Doctor of Research in Electronic Engineering. From 2005 to 2011 he has carried out various consulting activities for the Catania University as well as other Ateneums and various private companies on topics related to industrial automation and robotics. During the same period he has continuously been in charge of Research Assignments on robotics issues. In particular since 2006 he has been interested in robotics and automatic machines for agriculture. He currently joins Di3A with the role of Confirmed Researcher. 

Research Interest

It is mainly involved in the design of innovative high-tech agricultural machines such as sensors, robotics and automatic control techniques, in order to increase operator safety and machine productivity. Previous research activities at DIEEI University of Catania have been mainly focused on robotics and automation. In particular he designed different robot climbing racks for industrial inspection. It has developed different bonding systems between robots and walls in order to improve the performance of these systems. Some of these are based on electromagnets and on the control of friction between the electromagnet and the ferromagnetic wall. Others are based on active suction cups (depression or vortex). He has dealt with the development of linear and non-linear mathematical models using standard techniques (ARX-NARX) and more specific techniques (Direction Dependant models). These models were then used in Hardware In The Loop (HIL) or Software In The Loop (SIL) architectures to calibrate appropriate PID, Neuro-Fuzzy or predictive controllers. Different UGV-UAV (Wheeleg, Morduc, Surfy, Volcan, Robovolc, U-Go) robots have also been developed, contributing to the design of machines and system architectures with relative sensors. He contributed to some bioengineering issues and collaborated on various national and international projects.