Eric Frew
Professor • Associate Chair for Department Affairs • RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING CENTER FOR UNMANNED VEHICLES (RECUV)
Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences
eric.frew@colorado.edu
303-735-1285, 303-735-2116 (lab)

AERO 269

The ability to understand and predict the dynamic behavior of our planet’s environment over multiple scales remains an outstanding challenge for science and engineering. New robotic sensor networks will enable the shift from remote observation to in situ science in which autonomous systems actively assimilate data and explore. My research focuses on establishing the fundamental connections between sensing, communication, and control in robotic sensor networks, with an emphasis on heterogeneous unmanned aircraft systems. Understanding these connections enables the creation of robust, efficient, persistent robotic sensor networks which can move both sensors and information in the best way to the best locations to make the best forecasts.

I have established an interdisciplinary research program based on overlapping areas of interest that include: autonomous flight of heterogeneous unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), guidance and control of unmanned aircraft in complex atmospheric phenomena, optimal distributed sensing by mobile robots, miniature self-deploying systems, and field robotics. My group’s work combines the investigation of theoretical issues in autonomous networked systems with the design, implementation, and demonstration of heterogeneous unmanned aircraft systems. We have developed a fleet of unmanned aircraft and acquired FAA Certificates of Authorization to fly them.

Focus Area
Autonomous Systems

Education

  • Ph.D., Aeronautics and Astronautics, Stanford University, 2003
  • M.S., Aeronautics and Astronautics, Stanford University, 1996
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, 1995

Professional Experience

  • 2018 - Present, Professor, Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado
  • 2018 - Present, Director, Autonomous Systems Interdisciplinary Research Theme (ASIRT)
  • 2012-2018, Director, Research and Engineering Center for Unmanned Vehicles (RECUV)
  • 2011-2018, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado
  • 2004-2011, Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado
  • 2003-2004, Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Center for Collaborative Control of Unmanned Vehicles, University of California, Berkeley

Awards (selected)

  • H. Joseph Smead Faculty Fellow, 2014
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Associate Fellow, 2013
  • Provost's Faculty Achievement Award, 2009
  • NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award, 2009
  • The Chancellor's Award for Excellence in STEM Education, 2009-2010
  • Dean's Faculty Fellowship, Spring 2009
  • Young Engineer of the Year, AIAA Rocky Mountain Section, 2006

Research Interests
Networked heterogeneous unmanned aircraft systems, optimal distributed sensing by mobile robots, controlled mobility in ad-hoc sensor networks, miniature self-deploying systems, guidance and control of unmanned aircraft in complex atmospheric phenomena.