Applied Robotics and Embodied AI

Research capacity and funding

The Applied Robotics and Embodied AI research group maintains a strong pipeline of PhD candidates and has expanded significantly through new externally funded projects.
External funding activity is at a high level, reflecting strong engagement with both national and international funding programs.

The group is involved in a range of major projects, as outlined below, including the recently completed projects.

Research quality, impact, and maturity

The Applied Robotics and Embodied AI research group represents a clear setup in terms of focus, structure, and scientific direction. It has been built around a clear and deliberate strategy, supported by strong scientific leadership and a well-defined research agenda.

The current research profile is strongly application-driven and positioned at a high technical level. 

Activities are closely aligned with real-world needs, resulting in solutions that are both deployable and testable in operational environments. There is a clear and consistent link between fundamental research, technology development, and practical implementation, reflecting a coherent and targeted research approach.

In terms of societal and industrial impact, the group has established strong engagement with the offshore and maritime sectors. The research contributes directly to key areas such as decarbonization, ocean sustainability, and robotics-enabled monitoring systems, demonstrating a high level of relevance and impact from the outset.

Education and Research Integration

Education and research within the research group are now more closely aligned. There is a clear and growing synergy between these two core activities, with PhD and MSc students actively integrated into ongoing research projects. This integration enables students to contribute to real research challenges while gaining relevant, hands-on experience.

At the same time, education has become increasingly research-driven, with teaching activities informed by current scientific developments and project outcomes. This approach ensures that course content remains up to date and closely connected to the group’s research focus. Majority of the research group members, including PhD candidates, are active in teaching bachelor’s and master’s courses. The group offers numerous bachelor thesis topics to graduating students at the faculty.

As a result, education not only benefits from research but also actively supports it. It plays an important role in recruitment and long-term capacity building by attracting and training students who can continue into research roles, thereby strengthening the group’s sustainability and academic development.

NCEI – Norwegian Centre for Embodied AI

NCEI – Norwegian Centre for Embodied AI is one of Norway's six national AI Centers, focused on developing next-generation embodied artificial intelligence for robotic systems that can operate autonomously in complex physical environments. The centre aims to establish a scientific foundation for AI integrated with physical systems across domains such as robotics, maritime, and industry.

• Duration: 01.09.2025 – 30.11.2030¨
• Funding: Research Council of Norway (National AI Centres initiative)
• Role of the group: Co-director role (Prof. Vahid Hassani), with significant research contributions and multiple PhD recruitments within robotics and embodied AI. OsloMet leads work Package 9 of the center.

WINTEGRATE – Accelerating Maritime Decarbonization through Holistic Integration of Sail Technology into Onboard Ship Systems

A national Green Platform project aimed at reducing maritime emissions through integration of wind-assisted propulsion technologies with onboard ship control and energy systems.

• Duration: 01.09.2026 – 31.12.2029
• Funding: Research Council of Norway / Innovation Norway / SIVA (Green Platform programme)
• Role of the group: Core research partner focusing on AI-based integration and control systems; includes two PhD scholarships.

ANERIS – operAtional seNsing lifE technologies for maRIne ecosystemS (GA 101094924)

A Horizon Europe project developing advanced tools for marine ecosystem monitoring by integrating imaging technologies, genomics, and participatory data collection for operational marine biology

• Duration: 01.09.2023 – 31.12.2026
• Funding: European Union – Horizon Europe
• Role of the group: Contribution to robotic sensing and marine data acquisition systems; participation in interdisciplinary research activities; the project includes one research engineer

Resident ROV – Resident Autonomous ROV with Minimal Environmental Footprint (Project no. 310055)

An innovation project focused on enabling long-term subsea operations through resident ROV systems with subsea docking solutions, reducing vessel operations, emissions, and operational costs in inspection and maintenance.

• Duration: 2020-2027
• Funding: Research Council of Norway
• 'Role of the group: Development of autonomy and system integration solutions in collaboration with IKM Subsea.

SMART-ROV – Smart Control and Operation of ROV Systems (Project no. 313866)

A research project aimed at improving ROV operational efficiency through autonomous control, single-operator interfaces, and simulation-based training systems.

• Duration: 2020-2026
• Funding: Research Council of Norway
• Role of the group: Development of autonomy, control systems, and simulation frameworks; contribution to scientific publications and applied research outputs.

OASYS-2 – Ocean-Air Synoptic Operations Using Coordinated Autonomous Robotic Systems

A project developing coordinated operations between aerial, surface, and underwater robotic systems (UAVs, USVs, and micro-gliders) to enable cost-efficient ocean observation and monitoring.

• Duration: 2023 – 2027
• Funding: Research Council of Norway / International collaboration
• Role of the group: Core research contribution including development of multi-robot coordination; one PhD candidate funded through the project.

OASYS-1 (Ended) – Ocean-Air Synoptic Operations Using Coordinated Autonomous Systems

The first phase of the OASYS initiative, focusing on coordinated deployment of low-cost underwater gliders supported by aerial and surface systems for ocean monitoring.

• Duration: 2018-2022
• Funding: Research Council of Norway / international collaboration
• Role of the group: Foundational research contributions in heterogeneous robotic systems and coordinated operations.

MSTS – Marine Science, Technology and Society (Ended)

A transdisciplinary postgraduate education programme integrating marine science, technology, and societal perspectives through international collaboration and training.

• Duration: 2021-2023
• Funding: EEA Grants Programme
• Role of the group: Contribution to education, international training, and internship activities via OsloMet OceanLab.

RaSTEM – Regional Science Centre (Ended)

A project aimed at establishing a regional STEM education infrastructure in Croatia, focusing on teacher training and integration of robotics in early education.

• Duration: 2021 – 2024
• Funding: EEA Grants (Local Development and Poverty Reduction Programme)
• Role of the group: Scientific advisory role and quality assurance in robotics-based STEM education.

Design, Optimization, and Operation of a Blended-Wing VTOL UAV with Airborne Launch and Recovery Capability for Parasite UAVs

The project focuses on the design, optimization, and operation of a blended-wing VTOL UAV mothership capable of airborne launch and recovery of multiple parasite UAVs. The work will investigate aerodynamic configuration, structural and propulsion design, operational durability, and mission performance to enable reliable multi-UAV deployment and recovery in complex environments.

• PhD candidate Pierre Odin Holt Boniface s321418
• Supervisors:  Professor Vahid Hassani vahidhas and Associate Professor Hadi Zahmatkesh hadizahm

Design, Optimization, and Operation of a Blended-Wing VTOL UAV with Airborne Launch and Recovery Capability for Parasite UAVs

The project focuses on the design, optimization, and operation of a blended-wing VTOL UAV mothership capable of airborne launch and recovery of multiple parasite UAVs. The work will investigate aerodynamic configuration, structural and propulsion design, operational durability, and mission performance to enable reliable multi-UAV deployment and recovery in complex environments.

• PhD candidate Pierre Odin Holt Boniface 
• Supervisors:  Professor Vahid Hassani vahidhas and Associate Professor Hadi Zahmatkesh

Design and Development of Underwater Optical Modems for Marine Robotics

The project focuses on the design, development, and experimental validation of underwater optical modems for high-speed wireless communication in marine robotic systems. The work investigates compact and energy-efficient modem architectures, blue-light optical links, bidirectional data transfer, and robust communication performance under realistic underwater conditions to support future underwater communication and networking between robotic platforms.

• PhD candidate Ivar Bjørgo Saksvik
• Supervisors:  Professor Vahid Hassani

Smart-ROV: Enabling Single-Pilot ROV Operations Through Advanced Control and Artificial Intelligence

The project focused on enabling single-pilot operation of work-class ROVs through operator-centred automation, advanced control and artificial intelligence. The work investigated human factors, intuitive manipulator control, object detection, pose estimation and tracking, and model predictive control to reduce operator workload and support safer, more efficient offshore ROV operations.

•    PhD candidate Pierre Håkon Teigland
•    Supervisors:  Professor Vahid Hassani

Design and Development of a Hybrid Underwater Glider with Thrust Vectoring Capabilities

The project focuses on the design, modelling, and development of a hybrid underwater glider with thrust vectoring capabilities for improved manoeuvrability, endurance, and operational flexibility. The work investigates vehicle configuration, actuation concepts, dynamic modelling, control, and mission performance to enable a new generation of compact underwater gliders for long-duration ocean observation and coordinated robotic operations.

• PhD candidate Alexander Brevad Rambech
• Supervisors:  Professor Vahid Hassani vahidhas and Adjunct Professor Alex Alcocer