Christopher Blum | Robotics Researcher

Hello, my name is Christopher Blum.

I am a PhD researcher at the University of Manchester (UK), based in the Robotics for Extreme Environments Group. My research focus is in planning and navigation algorithms for mobile robots.

Academic Work

                
B-spline trajectory optimisation
                  An improved trajectory optimisation algorithm for mobile robots based on a B-spline formulation of the problem.
                
                Accomplishments
                Improved planning efficiency by the application of B-spline constraint relaxation.
Integration of B-spline conservatism constraints to improve performance.
ROS simulation with CoppeliaSim

Sentinel Bio-Monitoring System
                  A Networked Fungal Infection Surveillance and Bio-Alarm System for Intensive Care Units.
                
AccomplishmentsMechatronic cassette system for automated bio-film replacement.
Custom digital microscopy with multi-phase illumination.
IoT networking for real-time monitoring and long-term data analysis.

Flight control of a Micro UAV
                   Odometory-based flight control and navigation for a small quadrotor UAV.
                
                Accomplishments
                Sensor data filtering algorithms and odeometory based state estimation.
Simulations and communication protocols facilitated by ROS.
Controlled flight achieved for short durations.

Line following robot
                   A small differential drive robot with line-following capabilities
                
                Accomplishments
                Custom designed compact body shell.
Bespoke sensor array with integrated preprocessing.
Control facilitated by on-board microcontroller with BluetoothLE-based user interaction via mobile app.

Personal Projects

                
Virtual Pipe Organ
                  A conversion of a scrapped church organ console into a functioning VPO system using Hauptwerk.
                
AccomplishmentsConstruction of a small console shell suitable for home use.
Creation of an arduino-based MIDI encoder
Replacement of the arduino firmware to enable MIDI over USB.

Robot Pipe Organ
                  A single-rank organ built to interface with the Robot Orchestra.
                
AccomplishmentsConstruction of a 3D model of the pipes.
Design of the windchest to fit into an existing case.
Design and prototype construction of pipe valves.

Robotics Society Vice President
                  A welcoming society aiming to lower the bariers to entry for hobby-level robotics. 
                
AccomplishmentsFacilitated a successful year of society activities: weekly sessions, socials, workshops, and lectures.
Maintained society inventory and liased with university staff.
Oversaw a significant increase in society activity, the first hackathon, and the first off-site trip.

Robot Arm Control
                  An investigation into the use of numerical methods for solving inverse kinematics.
                
AccomplishmentsCharacterisation of a pre-fabricated robot arm.
Lead the construction of an initial code-base, aiming to use numerical methods to solve the inverse kinematics.

Robot Arm Construction
                   Construction and low-level control of a 6-DOF robot arm.
                
                Accomplishments
                Explored 3D printing and laser cutting for fabrication.
Developed low level control programmes for the robot actuators
Computed and implemented analytical inverse kinematics.