# CAREER: Re-Thinking the Perception-Action Paradigm for Agile Autonomous Robots

> **NSF 01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of California-Berkeley (CA) · $600,000

## Abstract

Autonomous robots will become pervasive in our society and will solve complex tasks, actively collaborating with each other and with humans. As the recent COVID-19 outbreak has highlighted, autonomous robots can solve a range of time-sensitive problems including logistics, reconnaissance, and disinfection of critical areas. Beyond pandemic, small-scale robots can help humans in complex or dangerous tasks such as search and rescue, security, and surveillance, and, thanks to their lighter weight, they pose only a modest risk to human safety. These time-sensitive tasks require robots to make fast decisions and agile maneuvers in complex and dynamic environments. State-of-the-art autonomous navigation approaches, while mature, are slow and brittle and prevent robust and resilient agile navigation. This Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program studies the fundamental perception-action problem for agile navigation of autonomous robots in complex environments by planning a novel, low-latency, robust, adaptive, safe, and resilient paradigm. This project aims also to educate students on the technical aspects, societal benefits, and ethical use of autonomous systems by establishing a unique multi-disciplinary, and integrated research and educational platform which includes a core curriculum on robot localization and navigation, and a series of online racing hackathons for a post-pandemic customized and integrated research and educational experience. These will contribute to lo

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2546659
- **Awardee organization:** University of California-Berkeley (CA)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** GS3YEVSS12N6
- **PI:** Giuseppe Loianno
- **Primary program:** 01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** Artificial Intelligence (AI), CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev, ROBOTICS
- **Estimated total:** $600,000
- **Funds obligated:** $565,631
- **Transaction type:** Continuing Grant
- **Period:** 07/01/2025 → 03/31/2027

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2546659

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2546659, CAREER: Re-Thinking the Perception-Action Paradigm for Agile Autonomous Robots. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2546659. Licensed CC0.

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