About Me

I’m currently working at Qualcomm as a Senior Engineer to develop GPU accelerated perception algorithms with C++ and OpenCL for Object and Obstacle Detection in AD/ADAS systems.

I've previously worked at Hitachi America, Ltd as a Senior Research Scientist on a variety of projects, including distributed cloud computing platform for parallel simulation of complex automotive mechatronic system, robotic arm motion planning with computer vision and simulation-based Reinforcement Learning for product assembly and pick-and-place, real-time IoT system for automotive production line for efficiency and quality monitoring, machine anomaly detection, troubleshooting suggestion, inspection process digitization.

I received my Bachelor’s degree in 2006 from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (known as Beihang University now), Master’s degree in 2010 and Ph.D in 2012 from University of Minnesota.

My M.S. and Ph.D. studies were advised by Professor Yiyuan J. Zhao at Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics (AEM), University of Minnesota (UMN). My research was focusing on Air Traffic Management (ATM) system design and simulation, including airport traffic management, aircraft collision alerting algorithm, aircraft conflict resolution strategy, and environment-friendly aircraft trajectory optimization. My Ph.D. thesis presented complex optimization algorithms in managing airport traffic at both tactical and strategic levels.

Experiences

01/2022-present: Senior Engineer, Arriver/Qualcomm

Develop GPU accelerated perception algorithms for Object and Obstacle Detection in AD/ADAS systems

03/2019-01/2022: Senior Research Scientist, Industrial Lab, Hitachi America, Ltd

Advanced robotic system for industrial applications

• Developed Deep Reinforcement Learning based robotic arm motion planning with computer vision and robotic simulation for object picking in challenging environment, using RGB-D camera, C++, Python, PyTorch, OpenCV, ROS, V-REP, GPU/CUDA.

• Supported the development of multi-robot-arm path planning for assembly task based on geometric relation defined in product CAD assembly file, using optimization algorithms, C++, and ROS.

• Core member on a team delivered 2 IoT systems to customer factories in US and Japan. Provided customers with real-time production efficiency and quality monitoring, machine anomaly detection, troubleshooting suggestion, inspection process digitization. Designed system architecture, supported sensor instrumentation, s/w development for data collection and analysis.

• Supported collaborations with U.S. universities on software-defined manufacturing system and advanced robotic system for industrial applications.

08/2012-03/2019: Researcher, Automotive Lab, Hitachi America, Ltd

Distributed cloud computing platform for parallel multi-domain complex automotive mechatronic system simulation

• Led the system design and prototyping of a trademarked cloud simulation system for distributed, large-scale, multi-physics parallel simulation validation of automotive system design

09/2008–08/2012: Research Assistant, University of Minnesota

Advanced multi-functional traffic management system in airports

• Designed and programmed deterministic and stochastic traffic flow optimization algorithms for airports with high-density uncertain traffic, to reduce flight delays, assure aircraft separations, and decrease noise and air pollutions

• Designed and programmed optimization algorithms for airport runway configuration management under uncertain traffic and weather conditions

Next generation aircraft collision alerting and avoidance systems

• Designed and programmed simulation tools to identify the limitations of current aircraft collision alerting/avoidance system when challenged by future air traffic control requirements

• Designed and programmed new aircraft collision alerting algorithms that improved safety, accuracy, and efficiency under future air traffic control requirements

09/2005–06/2006: Research Assistant, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China

Low-cost embedded control system

• Designed and implemented a low-cost remote control system with Ethernet communication capability using light-weight TCP/IP protocol stack

• As a senior undergraduate student, designed and taught one senior undergraduate course in embedded control system

Flight simulators with interactive visual cockpit

• Programmed 3-D aircraft dynamic model

• Programmed instruments in visual cockpit of flight simulator

09/2007–05/2009: Teaching Assistant, University of Minnesota

Instructor for 1 undergraduate course; grader for 2 graduate course and 3 undergraduate courses

Publications

Chen, H., Zhao, Y. J., “Sequential Dynamic Strategies for Real-time Scheduling of Terminal Traffic,” Journal of Aircraft, 2012.

Chen, H., Zhao, Y. J., Provan, C., “Multiple-Point Integrated Scheduling of Terminal Area Traffic,” Journal of Aircraft, 2011.

Chen, H., Zhao, Y. J., “Dynamic Real-time Scheduling of Terminal Traffic,” AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, 2011.

Chen, H., Zhao, Y. J., “Required Action Time and Control Effectiveness in Resolving Pairwise Conflicts,” AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, 2009.

Links to Me