Redwan Newaz

The AiR Lab at UNO is dedicated to developing software for highly autonomous unmanned vehicles that can operate in air, ground, and water. Our mission is to create robots capable of operating independently without human supervision, carrying out complex missions over long distances and time periods, and collaborating seamlessly with human partners.

In our group, the prime directive for graduate students is to focus on the most interesting and impactful research questions. When addressing autonomy research, we strive to identify capabilities robots currently lack, explain technical gaps that existed prior to the research, and uncover underlying principles that can be applied broadly.

As an advisor, my primary responsibilities include helping students identify research questions, framing technical questions, and guiding students on the path to answering these questions. I work closely with each student to ensure they are well-equipped to tackle the challenges in their research.

Students in the AiR Lab are expected to follow the research path set out for them, execute technical development, and communicate their insights to the community. I encourage lab attendance at least three times per week and aim for students to publish a novel conference paper annually on average, although this is not a strict requirement as research often requires patience.

I place significant importance on the writing process, engaging substantially with students in writing and revising papers to produce the best possible work. Additionally, I consider software development as a crucial part of training, ensuring that students' software remains useful and relevant after they complete their degrees.

The AiR Lab typically consists of 2-6 students. Our structure includes weekly one-on-one meetings with each student and weekly group meetings, which I consider the most important meeting of the week. These group meetings provide opportunities for collaborative learning and engagement. I strongly encourage collaboration within the group and with other research groups, as I believe research in autonomous robots is a team sport.

Equity and inclusion are crucial aspects of our lab culture. I view students as research partners and strive to never ask someone to do a task I wouldn't be willing to do myself. All team members are expected to share responsibilities, with senior students mentoring junior students and junior students contributing to the community from day one. I actively welcome researchers of all identities and support creating a space for lab members to raise and discuss relevant DEI topics in robotics

I am committed to supporting students in preparing for their chosen career paths. Whether a student is interested in academia or industry, I work with them to prepare academic research statements, job talks, or industrial applications as needed. I recognize that these paths are not mutually exclusive and strive to provide comprehensive support for various career trajectories.