Thomas Touma

Thomas Touma

Research Scientist (Robotics)

Caltech

Hi! I’m a robotics research scientist at Caltech. My work involves R&D on autonomous quadrupeds, drones, and space robots. I have professional experience in robotic hardware design, microcontroller system firmware, and robotic software implementation. I’ve had the privilege of working at JPL, Caltech and NASA on various projects including the DARPA Subterranean Challenge, OMEGA Project, NeBula AI solution, BRAILLE and more. My current focus is on creating resilient and autonomous robotic systems for exploration of complex environments on Earth and other celestial bodies.

When I’m not at work, I’m back home on my farm with my squad (my five mischievous hunting dogs), riding dirt bikes, flying drones, weightlifting, tinkering with machinery, spending time with my grandparents, and working on the farm.

Interests
  • Robotics (Aerial & Legged)
  • Autonomous Space Systems
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • End-to-end prototyping
Education
  • M.Eng in Robotics and Mechatronics, with Distinction (with Distinction)

    Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

  • B.Eng in Environments (Civil Engineering)

    The University of Melbourne

Projects

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DARPA Subterranean Challenge

DARPA Subterranean Challenge

Team CoSTAR takes on the DARPA Subterranean (SubT) Challenge which aims to develop innovative technologies that would augment operations underground. The SubT Challenge will explore new approaches to rapidly map, navigate, search, and exploit complex underground environments, including human-made tunnel systems, urban underground, and natural cave networks.

Rollocopter & Drivocopter

Rollocopter & Drivocopter

Is it a rover or a flyer? It’s both. Rollocopter & Drivocopter are hybrid aerial and terrestrial platforms. They use a quadrotor system to fly or roll along on passive and actuated wheels.

Mars Dogs

Mars Dogs

The current mobility systems for planetary exploration are wheeled rovers, limited to flat, gently-sloping terrains and agglomerate regolith. These vehicles cannot tolerate instability and operate within a low risk envelope (i.

NeBula Autonomy Solution

NeBula Autonomy Solution

To address various technical challenges across multiple domains in autonomous exploration of extreme environments, we develop a unified modular software system, called NeBula (Networked Belief-aware Perceptual Autonomy).

OMEGA M-Powered Farm

OMEGA M-Powered Farm

The OMEGA Project (Offshore Membrane Enclosures for Growing Algae) led by NASA and the Omega Global Initiative, is an innovative method to grow algae, clean wastewater, capture carbon dioxide and to ultimately produce biofuel without competing with agriculture for water, fertilizer or land.

BRAILLE

BRAILLE

BRAILLE is a research project funded by NASA’s Planetary Science and Technology through Analog Research (PSTAR) program. The project’s objectives are to characterize microbial life and its life signatures (biological, mineralogical, and chemical) within volcanic caves, demonstrate sub-surface activities using robots in a Mars Mission scenario, and assess the performance of the robot-mounted scientific instruments in low or no light settings to explore, map, and assist in remote astrobiology science.

Publications

Autonomous Spot: Long-range Autonomous Exploration of Extreme Environments with Legged Locomotion
This paper serves as one of the first efforts to enable large-scale and long-duration autonomy using the Boston Dynamics Spot robot. …

News

Down to the Wire
Awarded to Team CoSTAR for artefact detection with the least time remaining in the challenge.
See certificate
Best Paper on ‘Safety, Security, and Rescue Robotics in honor of Motohiro Kisoi’
See certificate
NASA JPL STAR Award
..presented to Thomas Touma..[and] Team CoSTAR..[for] development of novel and cutting-edge autonomy, perception, and mobility capabilities..
See certificate
DARPA Subterranean Challenge - Urban Circuit, Satsop Nuclear Plant, Washington
1st Place, Member of NASA/JPL/Caltech/MIT’s ‘Team CoSTAR’
See certificate
DARPA Subterranean Challenge - Tunnel Circuit, Pittsburgh Research Mine, Pennsylvania
2nd Place - Member of NASA/JPL/Caltech/MIT’s ‘Team CoSTAR’
See certificate
JVSRP Fellowship
Selected to perform research at NASA JPL’s Autonomous Systems Division
Graduated with Distinction
Highest honor awarded for Master’s degrees at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
ECP Fellowship Grant
Awarded grant money to research automation in construction.
Space Research Grant Award
Awarded prize money for my research at NASA Ames Research Center.
See certificate
NASA I^2 Program
Selected as one of three Australians to intern at NASA Ames Research Center.
See certificate

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
Research Scientist
Caltech
Dec 2021 – Present Pasadena, California
 
 
 
 
 
Robotics Engineer
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Dec 2018 – Present Pasadena, California
 
 
 
 
 
Research Engineer
Caltech
Jun 2019 – May 2020 Pasadena, California
 
 
 
 
 
Engineering and Exobiology/Astrobiology Intern
NASA Ames Research Center
Jun 2017 – Sep 2017 Mountain View, California
 
 
 
 
 
Melbourne Space Program
Cubesat Mission Operations Officer
Feb 2016 – Aug 2016 Melbourne, Australia
 
 
 
 
 
The University of Melbourne
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Jan 2015 – Jul 2015 Melbourne, Australia
 
 
 
 
 
Student Engineer
John Holland
Jan 2009 – Jan 2013 Victoria, Australia