Areas of Interest

I am currently working as a graduate research assistant with the Airborne Reconnaissance and Image Analysis Laboratory at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

My core areas of interest include Agent-based Modeling, Multi Agent Systems, Computer Vision, Machine Learning and Evolutionary Algorithms. My broader interests include Robot Navigation & Path Planning, Geographic Information Systems, Parallel and Distributed Computing.

Before joining ARIA, I worked mainly in the field of CAD/CAE (Computer Aided Design/ Computer Aided Engineering) at V.R. Siddhartha Engineering College, India. My focus was on Computer Aided Finite Element Analysis of Laminated Composites.

Current Research

Artificial Life as a Framework for Complex Systems Design

Developing a novel framework incorporating Artificial Life (ALife) principles for designing complex adaptive systems.   

Airborne Minefield Detection 

Real time parallel application for airborne minefield detection

• Developing a C++/MPI based real time, parallel application for airborne minefield detection.
• Developed a serial version of the application for image registration using optical flow and mine detection using RX (Reed-Xiaoli) anomaly detector.
• Designed a Qt based frontend GUI.
• Used IPP (Intel Performance Primitives) routines for image processing.
   

Previous Research

Individual-Based Artificial Ecosystems for Design and Optimization (Mechanical Engineering Master's Thesis)

An individual-based (agent-based) framework inspired by naturally occurring ecosystems to solve engineering design and optimization problems. A given design or optimization problem is "mapped" to the framework, which is then simply run. The solution to the given problem "emerges" through the interactions of the individuals (agents) among themselves and with their environment.

A model in this framework is created by first identifying a natural ecosystem (at the discertion of the modeler for the time being), capable of solving the given problem. The problem is then encoded into the selected ecosystem. Any modifications to the ecosystem which might improve the computational efficiency of the model are applied. The completed model is then simply run, to obtain the solution of the problem. 

• Developed an individual-based (agent-based) framework inspired by naturally occurring ecosystems for solving engineering design and optimization problems. 
• Developed individual level behaviors comparable to ecosystem level processes.
• Demonstrated ecosystem level processes like population dynamics, niche formation, adaptation to environment as emergent phenomena from individual level processes.
• Modified these natural ecosystems to solve design and optimization problems. Modifications were also made to improve the computational efficiency of the model without the loss of generality.
• As a proof of concept, developed an individual-based predator prey ecosystem to solve the problem of parameter estimation for binary texture synthesis.
  

Directional Vision Based Multi-Robot Formation Control

A decentralized behavior based framework for multi-robot formation control using only directional vision. This project was funded by Intelligent Systems Center , Missouri University of Science and Technology.

• A novel approach to leader-follower based multi-robot formation control, using only vision for formation detection, formation maintenance and formation modification.
• Developed leader navigation, goal detection and obstacle avoidance modules for the leader robot.
  
• Developed leader detection, formation maintenance and formation modification modules for the follower robots.

Real Time Traffic Simulation

• Developed a C++, OpenCV based simulation environment capable of controlling six radio controlled cars.
• The Hardware consists of five 1/28 scaled down iWaver mini cars, a Phillips SPC900NC webcam running at 320x240 resolution, a PIC16F876A microcontroller for each car, and Zigbee radio for wireless communication.
• Each car is marked with different colored contours which are detected using OpenCV and used to determine the location and orientation of each car. 
• Once the required parameters are calculated, the program sends the necessary variables to the onboard microcontroller via a Zigbee radio.
• This project was funded by Intelligent Systems Center , Missouri University of Science and Technology.
   

Papers and Presentations

Journal Publications

• Vallabhaneni, B. K. M., Vulli, S. S., and Kondapalli, P. K., "Prediction of Engineering Properties of GFRP lamina: Tensile behavior," Journal of Institution of Engineers (India), Vol 86, 2006, pp191-194.

International Conference Papers

• Vulli, S. S., and Agarwal, S., "Individual-Based Artificial Ecosystems for Design and Optimization," To appear in the Proceedings of the Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference 2008, July 12-16, 2008.
• Vallabhaneni, B. K. M., Vulli, S. S., Sudhakar, A.V., and Rao, U. K., "Finite Element Modeling and Simulation for the Shear and Thermal behavior of FRP lamina," International Conference on Emerging Adoptive Systems and Technologies (EAST-2005), organized by Noorul Islam College of Engineering, Kumaracoil, Tamilnadu, Dec. 16-17, 2005, pp 966-975.
• Vallabhaneni, B. K. M., Vulli, S. S., Rao, U. K., and Katta, M. R., "Prediction of Shear and Thermal properties of GFRP Laminates," International Conference on Total Engineering, Analysis & Manufacturing Technologies (TEAM TECH2006), IISc Bangalore, Feb 28th - March 2nd 2006, pp 18-19.
• Vallabhaneni, B. K. M., Vulli, S. S., Rao, U. K., and Katta, M. R., "Prediction of Mechanical Properties of FRP Laminates Using Finite Element Method," International Conference on Global Manufacturing and Innovation (GMI), being organized by Coimbatore Institute of Technology jointly with University of Massachusetts, U.S.A., Coimbatore during 27-29 July 2006.

National Conference Papers

• Pingali, V. V., Vulli, S. S., Sudhakar, A.V., and Vallabhaneni, B. K. M.,, "Prediction of Elastic Constants of Angle-Ply Lamina," National Conference on Recent Trends in Mechanical Engineering (RTIME - 2004) July 23-24, 2004, SRES College of Engineering, Kopargaon. pp. 32.

• Vulli, S. S., and Agarwal S., "Artificial Life as a Framework for Systems Design," ISC Research Symposium, Missouri S&T, Rolla, Apr. 2008.
• Vulli, S. S., Sequeira, G. D., Agarwal S. and Krishnamurthy K., "Directional Vision Based Multi-Robot Formation Control," ISC Research Symposium, UMR, Rolla, Apr. 2007.
• Vulli, S. S., "Mechanical Properties of a Unidirectional Fiber-reinforced Angle-ply Lamina," TECHNOFEST-2003, VRSEC, Vijayawada, Dec. 2003.
• Vulli, S. S., "Design for Assembly Using Feature Technology," 6th National Convention of ISTE Students, JNTUCE, Hyderabad, Oct. 2003.

• Visual Perception and Navigational Learning for LAGR, ISC Poster Presentations, UMR, Rolla, Oct. 2006.
• A Real Time Traffic Simulation for DARPA Urban Challenge, ISC Poster Presentations, UMR, Rolla, Oct. 2006.