What is the topic of your research that caught the attention of ICRA?
Katell: We are working on the development of a controller based on Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) to improve the performance and stability of underwater drones subject to failures. The main contribution of the selected article is our approach, which does not involve fault diagnosis, unlike conventional controllers. Our DRL algorithm has been trained by simulation with many failure scenarios in order to learn how to overcome them without it needing to know the cause. To keep the mission on course, the DRL will redistribute the forces within the actuators. We have conducted a number of experiments in Australia on a real drone: this second contribution is unprecedented.
Why is this selection so rewarding for you and your thesis supervisors? What does ICRA represent?
Katell: ICRA is the world’s leading conference on robotics, attracting the industry’s biggest names, such as DeepMind and Boston Dynamics. The evaluation process is highly rigorous and the reviewers are on the lookout for articles showing real progress. This selection is a major recognition of the work we have accomplished, coupled with a great opportunity to discuss with the most eminent current researchers in robotics. To give you an idea, 1,606 articles have been selected out of 4,153, submitted by 63 different countries.
This selection is unprecedented for Naval Group. What does it say about our R&D efforts?
Katell: It attests to the fact that research, in particular through the funding of theses in the field of AI applied to the maritime sector, is present and strong at Naval Group. It also demonstrates that our efforts produce innovative solutions applicable to the industrial sector.
How are we preparing for this international conference?
Katell: There will be an oral presentation of the work in front of a large audience and a poster session more focused on the article itself, where we will engage in discussions by moving from poster to poster. I have already taken part in this kind of exercise previously in Australia. It is both stressful and very stimulating.