Navinda Kottege

Researcher in distributed sensor networks with extensive hands on experience in embedded system design and programming, experience in mechatronic systems, knowledge and experience in localization methods and technology and research experience in experimental robotics.

Designed and developed a novel distributed relative localization system to facilitate swarming of small underwater robots. The 'localization sensor' integrated in to the system is capable of measuring relative azimuth, range and heading of a neighboring robot without explicit communication.

Keywords: Robotics, Localization, Navigation, Sensor networks, Mechatronics, Underwater acoustics, Underwater robotics, Acoustic localization, Robot swarms, Bio-inspired systems, Field robotics, Ada2005.

Navinda Kottege’s Specialties:

Embedded system development, C, C++, Ada and Delphi programming, Microcontroller programming, Scientific programming using MatLab and LabView.
Expertise in desktop publishing using FrameMaker, InDesign and Illustrator.

Navinda Kottege’s Experience

Postdoctoral Fellow

CSIRO

(Research industry)

December 2009 — Present (1 month)
Tutor

Australian National University

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

July 2009 — November 2009 (5 months)

ENGN 1218 - Introduction to Electronics
Mentor / Senior Mentor

Australian National University

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

February 2008 — November 2009 (1 year 10 months)

Postgraduate student mentor for the ANU's Student Information and Guidance Network (SIGN) program. Have mentored eleven PhD candidates, nine Masters Degree students and one Graduate Diploma student up to now.
Research Associate

Australian National University

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

May 2008 — December 2008 (8 months)
Tutor

Australian National University

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

July 2008 — November 2008 (5 months)

COMP 2310 - Concurrent and Distributed Systems
Conducted lab tutorials and assessed assignments for the second year course which used Ada 2005
Assistant Lecturer

University of Colombo

(Higher Education industry)

July 2003 — February 2004 (8 months)

Supervised and assessed final year honours students' advanced electronics and computational physics labs. Conducted tutorials for second and third year Physics students. Collaborated with the faculty to restructure first year introductory physics and electronics labs. Planned, developed and delivered a new training course titled `Microcontroller programming and its applications' to be offered via the Physics department aimed at industrial sector personnel as a professional development program in collaboration with the faculty.

Navinda Kottege’s Education

The Australian National University

PhD , Robotics , 2004 — 2009

I designed, developed & experimentally evaluated a novel high precision, high update rate distributed localisation sensor to be deployed on small agile underwater vehicles to facilitate swarming.

Thesis title: "Underwater Acoustic Localisation in the context of Autonomous Submersibles"
University of Colombo

BIT , Information Technology , 2000 — 2004
University of Colombo

BSc (Honours) , Engineering Physics , 1999 — 2003

Activities and Societies:

Rowing Team
Nalanda College