Amlan Balabantaray
PhD Candidate University of Nebraska-Lincoln University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Contact
- Address
-
SPL 203A (Splinter Laboratory)
Lincoln, Nebraska 68503 -
abalabantaray2@huskers.unl.edu
- Social Media
I am an Agricultural Engineer passionate about integrating robotics into farming. My work focuses on developing innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and sustainability, from autonomous systems to precision farming. Skilled in designing, fabricating, wiring, and programming autonomous robotic platforms from concept to field deployment, with proficiency in ROS/ROS2, mechatronics, LiDAR-based sensing, and machine vision. Experienced in applying AI and deep learning to realtime perception, decision-making, and actuation in complex agricultural environmentsI aim to develop robotic solutions that can eliminate weeds in the field and contribute to integrated weed management practices. I have a strong passion for teaching and training the next generation workforce with cutting-edge technologies and techniques for agricultural operations.
Education
Degree:
Ph.D. - BENG
Advisor:
Santosh Pitla
Achievements:
- Received the ASABE AIM 2025 Best poster award
- Received the Splinter Fellowship Award 2025
- Received the College of Engineering Graduate Student Teaching Fellowship Award 2025
- Received the Stout International Outstanding Graduate Student Award 2025
- Won the BSE Future Days Lightning Talk Contest 2025
- Recieved the Nebraska Innovation Studio Robotics Fellowship 2025
- Received the DAVID H. AND ANNIE E. LARRICK Graduate Student Travel Award
- Received the UNL Graduate Student Travel Award
- Received the College of Engineering Professional Development Fellowship Award
- Placed 2nd in BSE Future Days Lightning Talk Contest 2024
- Reveived the Complexity in design award - Farm Robotics Challenge 2023
- Received the 3rd Position (Advanced Division) ASABE Robotics Competition 2023
In the news:
- Is the Future of Artificial Intelligence on the Farm Already Here? (Farm Journal) - https://youtu.be/NkvRs32_Bfc?si=HKNaPUpJFBi846ci
- Inaugural robotics fellows ready to launch new innovations (Nebraska Today) - https://news.unl.edu/article/inaugural-robotics-fellows-ready-to-launch-new-innovations
- See-N-Till (Market Journal) - https://youtu.be/gp7iVK7X-iI?si=zSBJ132AHy9kzl1e
- ORCA™ Motor Powered See-N-Till Agricultural Robotic System for Smart Weed Control - https://irisdynamics.com/articles/orca-linear-motor-agricultural-robotics-weed-control
- AI-griculture: How artificial intelligence is amplifying the ag industry (Nebraska News Service) - https://www.nebraskanewsservice.net/news/agriculture/ai-griculture-how-artificial-intelligence-is-amplifying-the-ag-industry/article_0db6d519-0540-4fa4-8e1e-5a3ea2c3ed71.html
- New fellowship aims to accelerate Nebraska as a hub for robotics innovation (Silicon Prairie News)- https://siliconprairienews.com/2025/02/new-fellowship-aims-to-accelerate-nebraska-as-a-hub-for-robotics-innovation/
- Innovation Studio announces inaugural Robotics Fellows - https://news.unl.edu/article/innovation-studio-announces-inaugural-robotics-fellows
- Inaugural Robotics Fellows Ready to Launch New Innovations (Rural Radio) - https://ruralradio.com/kneb-fm/news/inaugural-robotics-fellows-ready-to-launch-new-innovations/
- Amlan Balabantaray named University of Nebraska’s inaugural robotics fellow (New India Abroad) - https://www.newindiaabroad.com/english/people/amlan-balabantaray-named-university-of-nebraskas-inaugural-robotics-fellow
- Farm Robotics Challenge winners named (Fruit Growers News) - https://fruitgrowersnews.com/news/farm-robotics-challenge-winners-named/
Publications:
- Balabantaray, A., Behera, S., Liew, C., Chamara, N., Singh, M., Jhala, A. J., & Pitla, S. (2024). Targeted Weed Management of Palmer Amaranth using Robotics and Deep Learning (YOLOv7). Frontiers in Robotics and AI, 11, 1441371.
- Joseph, K. T., Muvva, K., Mwunguzi, H., Haake, A., Liew, C., Balabantaray, A., Behera, S., Kalra, A., Srikanth, K. K., Pitla, S., & Das Choudhury, S. (2024). Cottonhusker: Deep Learning enabled cotton picking robot for Smart Agriculture. Springer Proceedings in Information and Communication Technologies, 619–631