Welcome!

MANUELA M. VELOSO

Head, J.P.Morgan Chase AI Research
Herbert A. Simon University Professor Emerita
383 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017

email: manuela.veloso at jpmchase dot com
or mmv at cs dot cmu dot edu

All PUBLICATIONS and AI in Finance PUBLICATIONS

(When I was at CMU, to visit me, I would schedule
one of our CoBot robots to escort you to my office.)


Some news/talks:

Interview: What's the Role of Multiagent Systems in Finance," ML Minutes, (October 2020)

Interview: Humanity and AI will be Inseparable, The Verge", (November 15, 2016)

Lecture at the MIT Technology Review EmTech Digital", (May 23, 2016)

Keynote at the 2015 Grace Hopper Conference", (October 15, 2015)

Lecture at the "Admiravel Mundo Novo", in Portuguese, (June 12, 2015)

CBS Saturday Morning, (February 21, 2015, with Anthony Mason, and producer Gregory Mirman)

MIT Technology Review article. (November 11, 2014, by Will Knight)

Wired article. (August 6, 2012, by Christina Bonnington)

Short vitae
Herb Simon's talk on "Forecastig the Future or Shaping it?" video and paper (CMU, October 2000), and clip on robot soccer (which I presented in my Presidential Address at AAAI'14, July 30, 2014).

RESEARCH:

• LIST OF PUBLICATIONS.
• Also please see below the PhD theses of my students.
• CORAL - My research group on intelligent robots that Cooperate, Observe, Reason, Act, and Learn.
• Our CMDragons team is the 2015 RoboCup Small Size World Champion! See the news and the video highlights of ALL the games (6-0, 10-0, 10-0, 15-0, 2-0, 5-0).

CoBots - Collaborative Mobile Robots:

• Learn more. Watch CoBot videos. See the publications.
• We research on effective autonomous indoor mobile service robots. We aim at contributing to a multi-robot, multi-human symbiotic relationship, in which robots and humans coordinate and cooperate as a function of their limitations and strengths.
• We have four CoBot robots:
  
• The robot hardware for all CoBots was designed and built by Mike Licitra. The research has led to the PhD theses of my students Joydeep Biswas, Stephanie Rosenthal, and Brian Coltin.
  

Robot Soccer:

Our CMDragons team is the 2015 RoboCup Small Size World Champion! See the news and the video highlights of ALL the games (6-0, 10-0, 10-0, 15-0, 2-0, 5-0).

Our CORAL/Robot Soccer page for research and news.

RoboCup'17 will take place in Nagoya, Japan..

RoboCup Wiki.

V-Unit: An opportunity "to grow a Vision" of novel ways for Computer Science and Technology to impact the world:

• See a description of the V-Unit and send me email if you are interested in taking a V-Unit.
• The V-Unit is linked to the Technology Bridge World effort.

Current PhD Students:

• Kevin Zhang, co-advised with Oliver Kroemer, Robotics 2019
• Mengda Xu, co-advised with Shuran Song, ColumbiaUniv/JPMorganChase 2021

Past Advised Students:

• Ishani Chatterjee, Ph.D. Robotics, September 2022.
  Thesis: Heuristic Search Based Planning by Minimizing Anticipated Search Efforts.
• Nicholay Topin, Ph.D. Machine, July 2022.
  Thesis: Unifying State and Policy-Level Explanations for Reinforcement Learning.
• Anahita Mohseni-Kabir, Ph.D. Robotics, August 2021.
  Thesis: Robot Planning for Achieving Multiple Independent Tasks with Discrepancies through Model Decomposition and Augmentation.
• Max Korein,, Ph.D. Robotics, August 2021.
  Thesis: Planning to Optimize and Learn Reward in Navigation Tasks in Structured Environments with Time Constraints.
• Devin Schwab, Ph.D. Robotics, August 2020.
  Thesis: Robot Deep Reinforcement Learning: Tensor State-Action Spaces and Auxiliary Task Learning with Multiple State Representations.
• Rui Silva, Ph.D. Computer Science, August 2020, dual degree, CMU-Portugal Program.
  Thesis: Counterfactual MDPs: Planning Beyond Direct Control.
• Kim Baraka, Ph.D. Robotics, August 2020, dual degree, CMU-Portugal Program.
  Thesis: Automated Action Selection and Embodied Simulation for Socially Assistive Robots using Standardized Interactions.
• Philip Cooksey, Ph.D. Robotics, May 2019.
  Thesis: Intra-Robot Replanning and Learning for Multi-Robot Teams in Complex Dynamic Domains.
• Rongye Shi, Ph.D. Electrical and Computer Engineering, May 2019.
  Thesis: Optimizing Passenger On-Vehicle Experience through Simulation and Multi-Agent Multi-Criteria Mobility Planning.
• Tiago Pereira, Ph.D. Electrical and Computer Engineering, May 2019, dual degree, CMU-Portugal Program.
  Thesis: Robot-Dependent Maps for Coverage and Perception Task Planning.
• Vittorio Perera, Ph.D. Computer Science, August 2018, Amazon.
  Thesis: Language-Based Bidirectional Human and Robot Interaction Learning for Mobile Service Robots.
• Danny Zhu, Ph.D. Computer Science, December 2017, Determined AI.
  Thesis: Augmented Reality Visualization for Autonomous Robots.
• Juan Pablo Mendoza , Ph.D. Robotics, August 2017, Waymo.
  Thesis: Regions of Inaccurate Modeling for Robot Anomaly Detection and Model Correction.
• Richard Wang, Ph.D. Computer Science, May 2016, ABB.
  Thesis: Collecting, Analyzing, and Using Fine-Grain Sensor Data with Mobile Platforms.
• Junyun Tay, Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, May 2016, dual degree, CMU ME/NTU CoE Program, Bossa Nova Robotics.
  Thesis: Autonomous Animation of Humanoid Robots.
• Susana Brandao, Ph.D. Electrical and Computer Engineering, August 2015, dual degree, CMU-Portugal Program, SISCOG.
  Thesis: Heat Based Descriptors for Multiple 3D View Object Recognition.
• Mehdi Samadi, Ph.D. Computer Science, August 2015, Co-founder of Solvvy.
  Thesis: Facts and Reasons: Web Information Querying to Support Agents and Human Decision Making.
• Joydeep Biswas, Ph.D. Robotics, December 2014, Assistant Professor, University of Texas, Austin.
  Thesis: Vector Map-Based, Non-Markov Localization for Long-Term Deployment of Autonomous Mobile Robots.
• Tekin Mericli, Ph.D. Computer Science, August 2014, Bogazici University, Turkey, Co-Founder, CTO, Locomation..
  Thesis: Case-Based Mobile Manipulation.
• Brian Coltin , Ph.D. Robotics, May 2014. NASA Ames.
  Thesis: Multi-agent Pickup and Delivery Planning with Transfers.
• Prashant Reddy, Ph.D. Machine Learning, December 2013. JPMorgan Chase AI Research.
  Thesis: Semi-Cooperative Learning for Smart Grid Agents.
• Felipe Trevizan, Ph.D. Machine Learning, August 2013. Assistant Professor, Australian National University.
  Thesis: Short-Sighted Probabilistic Planning.
• Allison (Somchaya) Liemhetcharat, Ph.D. Robotics, August 2013. Engineering Lead, RideOS
  Thesis: Representation, Planning, and Learning of Dynamic Ad Hoc Robot Teams.
• Stephanie L. Rosenthal, Ph.D. Computer Science, May 2012. Assistant Teaching Professor, Carnegie Mellon University.
  Thesis: Human-Centered Planning for Effective Task Autonomy
• Cetin Mericli, Ph.D. Computer Science, May 2011, Bogazici University, Turkey, Co-founder and CEO, Locomation.
  Thesis: Multi-Resolution Model plus Correction Paradigm for Task and Skill Refinement on Autonomous Robots.
• Sarah Aboutalib, Ph.D. Computer Science, December 2010.
  Thesis: Multiple-Cue Object Recognition for Interactionable Objects and Videos.
• Stefan Zickler, Ph.D. Computer Science, May 2010, iRobot, MA.
  Thesis: Physics-Based Robot Motion Planning In Dynamic Multi-Body Environments and Videos
• Sonia Chernova, Ph.D. Computer Science, May 2009, Associate Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology.
  Thesis: Confidence-Based Robot Policy Learning from Demonstration.
• Elisabeth Crawford, Ph.D. Computer Science, May 2009, Birchbox, NY.
  Thesis: Learning to Improve Negotiation in Semi-Cooperative Agreement Problems
• Colin McMillen, Ph.D. Computer Science, May 2009, Google, Cambridge, MA.
  Thesis: Thresholded-Rewards Decision Problems: Acting Effectively in Timed Domains
• Brenna Argall, Ph.D. Robotics, May 2009, Assistant Professor, Northwestern University.
  Thesis: Learning Mobile Robot Motion Control from Demonstration and Corrective Feedback
• Yang Gu, Ph.D. Computer Science, August 2008, Google, Mountain View, CA.
  Thesis: Effective Motion Tracking Using Known and Learned Actuation Models
• Douglas Vail, Ph.D. Computer Science, May 2008, Google, Pittsburgh.
  Thesis: Conditional Random Fields for Activity Recognition
• Elly Winner, Ph.D. Computer Science, May 2008.
  Thesis: Learning Domain-Specific Planners From Example Plans
• Maayan Roth, Ph.D. Robotics, September 2007, Flatiron, New York, NY.
  Thesis: Execution-Time Communication Decisions for Coordination of Multi-Agent Teams
• James Bruce, Ph.D. Computer Science, December 2006, Google, Mountain View, CA.
  Thesis: Real-Time Motion Planning and Safe Navigation in Dynamic Multi-Robot Environments
• Scott Lenser, Ph.D. Computer Science, August 2005, iRobot, MA.
  Thesis: On-line Robot Adaptation to Environmental Change
• Patrick Riley, Ph.D. Computer Science, March 2005, Google, Mountain View, CA.
  Thesis: Coaching: Learning and Using Environment and Agent Models for Advice
• Rune Jensen, Ph.D. Computer Science, June 2003, Associate Professor at IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
  Thesis: Efficient BDD-Based Planning for Non-Deterministic, Fault-Tolerant, and Adversarial Domains
• Michael Bowling, Ph.D. Computer Science, May 2003, Professor, University of Alberta, Canada.
  Thesis: Multiagent Learning in the Presence of Agents with Limitations
• William Uther, Ph.D. Computer Science, August 2002, Researcher, National ICT, Sydney, Australia.
  Thesis: Tree Based Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning
• Belinda Thom, Ph.D. Computer Science, December 2001.
  Thesis: BoB: An Improvisational Music Companion
• Bryan Singer, Ph.D. Computer Science, December 2001, NSA, Washington, DC.
  Thesis: Automating the Modeling and Optimization of the Performance of Signal Processing Algorithms
• Peter Stone, Ph.D. Computer Science, December 1998, Professor, University of Texas, Austin.
  Thesis: Layered Learning in Multi-Agent Systems
• Astro Teller, Ph.D. Computer Science, December 1998, GoogleX.
  Thesis: Neural Programming and Signal Understanding
• Karen Haigh, Ph.D. Computer Science, May 1998, BBN.
  Thesis: Situation-Dependent Learning for Interleaved Planning and Robot Execution
• Yury Smirnov, Ph.D. Computer Science, August 1997, CEO and founder of Akonite, Inc., CA, Facebook
  (very sad - deceased February 18, 2019)
  Thesis: Hybrid Algorithms for On-Line and Combinatorial Optimization Problems
  
  
• Travers Rhodes, M.Sc. Robotics, August 2019, Cornell PhD student.
• Aaron Roth, M.Sc. Robotics, August 2019, Univ.Maryland PhD student.
• Kevin Zhang, M.Sc. Robotics, August 2019, co-advised with Olivier Kroemer, CMU RI PhD student.
• Ashwin Khadke, M.Sc. Robotics May 2018, CMU RI PhD student.
• Sai Prabhakar, M.Sc. Robotics August 2017, Disney Research.
• Sandeep Konam, M.Sc. Robotics May 2016, UPMC.
• Kim Baraka, M.Sc. Robotics, May 2016, CMU-Portugal RI PhD student.
• Steven Klee, M.Sc. Computer Science, August 2015, Google.
• Grant Strimel, M.Sc. Computer Science, August 2014, Amazon, CMU CSD PhD student.
• Fatma Faruq, M.Sc. Robotics, May 2014, Researcher at University in Pakistan.
• Joydeep Biswas, M.Sc. Robotics, December 2009, CMU RI PhD student.
• Juan Fasola, M.Sc. Computer Science, August 2007, USC PhD student.
• Kristina Rohlin, M.Sc. Robotics, May 2007, U.S. Navy. (co-advised with Brett Browning)
• Dinesh Govindaraju, M.Sc. Robotics, 2006.
• John Gavin, M.Sc. Computer Science, 2005, Microsoft Research.
• Jeremy Searock, M.Sc. Robotics, 2005, NREC,(co-advised with Brett Browning)
• Francesco Tamburrino, M.Sc. Robotics, 2004.
• Paul Carpenter, M.Sc. Computer Science, 2003, ICT, LA.
• Kwun Han, 1998, Gigapixel, Inc., Palo Alto, CA.

Past TEACHING:

• Fall 2016 - 15-887, Planning, Execution, and Learning, co-teaching with Maxim Likhachev, MW 1:30-2:50pm, NSH 3002.
• Spring 2016 - CMRoboBits: AI and Robots for Daily-Life Problems. Project-based course. GHC 3201, 1:30-2:50pm. Project Milestones and Demonstrations: March 2, April 6, May 4, 2016.
• Fall 2015 - 15-381, Artificial Intelligence, co-teaching with Zico Kolter.
• Spring 2015 - 15-780, Graduate Artificial Intelligence, co-teaching with Emma Brunskill.
• Spring 2013 - 15-780, Graduate AI, co-teaching with Tuomas Sandholm, MW 10:30am-noon, GHC 4303.
• Fall 2012 - 15-491, CMRoboBits - Creating Intelligent Humanoid and Service Mobile Robots, Project-Based Course, MW 3:00-4:30pm, GHC 3201.
• Fall 2012 - 15-887, Planning, Execution, and Learning, co-teaching with Reid Simmons, MW 1:30-3:00pm, GHC 4303.
• Spring 2012 - 15-895B - Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability and Health Care - Reading, Project-Based Course - M, W, 5-6:20pm, GHC 4303, co-teaching with Emma Brunskill.
• Fall 2011 - 15-381, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, co-teaching with Drew Bagnell and Emma Brunskill.

ROBOT SOCCER:

• RoboCup-2007, the 11th International RoboCup Competitions and Symposium, July 1- July 10, Atlanta, USA.
  • Our CMDragons'07 team for the small-size league is world champion.
  • Our CMPack'07 team for the AIBO league came in 3rd place.
• RoboCup-2006, the 10th International RoboCup Competitions and Symposium, Bremen, Germany.
  • Our CMDragons'06 team for the small-size league is world champion.
• RoboCup-2005, the 9th International RoboCup Competitions and Symposium, July 13-19, 2005, Osaka, Japan.
• 2005 RoboCup USOpen, May 7-10, 2005, Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
• RoboCup-2004, the 8th International RoboCup Competitions and Symposium, June 27 - July 5, 2004, Lisbon, Portugal.
• The 2004 RoboCup US Open, April 24-27, 2004, University of New Orleans:
  • Our CMPack'04 team for the AIBO league is champion.
  • Our CMOwl'04 team for the coach simulation league is champion.
  • Our CMLoki'04 team for the soccer simulation league came in 3rd place.
• The First RoboCup American Open took place April 30 - May 4, 2003, at Carnegie Mellon.
• RoboCup-2003 was be held in Padua, Italy, July 1-12, 2003.
  
• RoboCup-2002 was held in Fukuoka, Japan, June 17-26, 2002.
  We entered two robot teams: our small-size robot team CMDragons'02, and our Sony legged robot team CMPack'02.
• We won first place in the RoboCup-2002 Sony legged league! :-) We are now World Champions.
  • Some pictures, and some more pictures.
• I was General Chair for RoboCup-2001, held for the first time in the USA - Check the results!
  

(RoboCup-2001, Press conference, Photos taken by Mark J. Welch, Copyright, Robot-News.com. Click on a picture for a larger view.)

Some PAST:

• I was on sabbatical leave for 2013-14, at NYU, at the Center for Urban Science and Progress, CUSP, to learn about real data and real decision making in real cities.
• I was on sabbatical leave for 2006-07 as a Radcliffe Fellow at the
  Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University.
• I was the Program Chair for IJCAI-07, held January 6-12, 2007, in Hyderabad, India. It was a fantastic event! Thanks to all who participated.
  The theme of the conference was "AI and its Benefits to Society."
  The proceedings of the conference are available online at www.ijcai.org , where you can also find instructions on how to order a hard copy, if interested.
• I was program co-chair of AAAI-05, held July 9-13, 2005, in Pittsburgh.
• RoboCup'01, Seattle, USA, August 2-10, 2001.
• IJCAI-99 Workshop: The Third International Workshop on RoboCup, Stockholm, July 31 - August 1, 1999.
• RoboCup'98, La Villette, Paris, July 4-9, 1998.
• AIPS-98, The Fourth International Conference on AI Planning Systems, June 7-10, 1998, Carnegie Mellon Univerity, Pittsburgh, USA.
• NSF-CNPq sponsored workshop on "Intelligent Robotic Agents," Porto Alegre, Brazil, March 17-19, 1997.
• ICML/COLT 1997 Tutorial on "Learning in Planning".
• Immigration Course Fall 1996.

Personal:

Memorial: Mafalda Ferin Cunha, a tribute to my remarkable late sister-in-law (in Portuguese).

• World Countries I have visited:
  
  visited 36 countries (16%)
  
• U.S.A. States I have visited:
  
  visited 33 states (66%)
  Create your own visited maps