Overview
Background
Professor Ross McAree is Head of the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at the University of Queensland. His research interests are focused on machinery dynamics and control with a current emphasis on mining equipment automation.. Professor McAree led the development and demonstration of the world’s first fully autonomous mining excavator as the outcome of a 10year collaboration with Joy Global Surface Mining (now part of Komatsu) and has collaborated with Caterpillar Inc. to develop and trial the world’s first autonomous bulldozer capable of production dozing using the ‘pivot push’ method. From 2007-2015 Professor McAree held an industry funded (P&H) Chair in Mechanical Engineering and from 2009-2015 he was Vice President for Automation and Automation Program Leader with the Cooperative Research Centre for Mining. He has attracted in excess of $12M dollars of Category 1-3 and $8.5M of Category 4 funding has contributed to the winning of two CRC bids (CRCMining and CRCMining2) for a total of $35.2M funding. He established the Mechatronic Engineering Plan at UQ in 2002. He has given leadership to his School as Chair of Research Committee (2009-2015) and Teaching and Learning Committee (2015-2017). Significant external service includes serving as Chair for the Australian Academy of Science National Committee on Mechanical Sciences (2001-2006) and as the Australian representative to the International Federation of Mechanism and Machine Theory (2001-continuing), Associate Editor for journal ‘Mechatronics’ (1999-2011) and member of Australian Standards Committees ME-27 and IT-06P. Professor McAree is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE).
Availability
- Professor Ross McAree is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Research impacts
Professor McAree's research group have been involved in the development of several automation technologies for the mining sector which have been commercialized. The outputs have been estimated to have had benefit to the global mining industry of in excess of $1000m.
Works
Search Professor Ross McAree’s works on UQ eSpace
2017
Journal Article
Common factors in the implementation of new technology in the mining industry
Job, Andrew Todd and McAree, Peter Ross (2017). Common factors in the implementation of new technology in the mining industry. AusIMM Bulletin (June 2017), 24-26.
2017
Journal Article
How do ICP variants perform when used for scan matching terrain point clouds?
Donoso, F. A., Austin, K. J. and McAree, P. R. (2017). How do ICP variants perform when used for scan matching terrain point clouds?. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 87, 147-161. doi: 10.1016/j.robot.2016.10.011
2017
Conference Publication
Three case studies on the implementation of new technology in the mining industry
Job, Andrew and McAree, Peter R. (2017). Three case studies on the implementation of new technology in the mining industry. Iron ore 2017, Perth WA, Australia, 24-26 July 2017. Perth WA, Australia: AusIMM: Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
2017
Book Chapter
From MRAC to learning-based MPC: the emerging importance of machine learning for control of robot manipulators
Soltani Naveh, K. and McAree, P. R. (2017). From MRAC to learning-based MPC: the emerging importance of machine learning for control of robot manipulators. Adaptive control for robotic manipulators. (pp. 1-28) edited by Dan Zhang and Bin Wei. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781315166056
2017
Journal Article
When the dust settles: the four behaviors of LiDAR in the presence of fine airborne particulates
Phillips, Tyson Govan, Guenther, Nicky and Mcaree, Peter Ross (2017). When the dust settles: the four behaviors of LiDAR in the presence of fine airborne particulates. Journal of Field Robotics, 34 (5), 985-1009. doi: 10.1002/rob.21701
2017
Conference Publication
Real time shovel-mounted coal or ore sensing
Job, Andrew, Edgar, Michael and McAree, Peter R. (2017). Real time shovel-mounted coal or ore sensing. Iron ore 2017, Perth WA, Australia, 24-26 July 2017. Perth WA: AusIMM.
2016
Other Outputs
Shovel Load Assist Project - ACARP Project Report C16031
Dudley, John James and McAree, Ross (2016). Shovel Load Assist Project - ACARP Project Report C16031. Brisbane Qld Australia: ACARP (Australian Coal Industry Research Program).
2016
Journal Article
Is it what I think it is? Is it where I think it is? Using point-clouds for diagnostic testing of a digging assembly's form and pose for an autonomous mining shovel
Phillips, T. G., Green, M. E. and McAree, P. R. (2016). Is it what I think it is? Is it where I think it is? Using point-clouds for diagnostic testing of a digging assembly's form and pose for an autonomous mining shovel. Journal of Field Robotics, 33 (7), 1013-1033. doi: 10.1002/rob.21643
2015
Other Outputs
Dragline Automation System: Optimal Excavation Sequencing - ACARP Project Report C23033
Austin, Kevin John, Green, Matthew and McAree, Ross (2015). Dragline Automation System: Optimal Excavation Sequencing - ACARP Project Report C23033. Brisbane Qld Australia: ACARP (Australian Coal Industry Research Program).
2015
Journal Article
An Adaptive Structure Filter for Sensor Registration from Unstructured Terrain
Phillips, T. G., Green, M. E. and McAree, P. R. (2015). An Adaptive Structure Filter for Sensor Registration from Unstructured Terrain. Journal of Field Robotics, 32 (5), 748-774. doi: 10.1002/rob.21562
2015
Conference Publication
Receding horizon collision avoidance for large excavators
Kearney, M. P., Smith, Z. V. and McAree, P. R. (2015). Receding horizon collision avoidance for large excavators. 2015 IFToMM World Congress, Taipei, Taiwan, 25-30 October 2015. Taipei, Taiwan: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University. doi: 10.6567/IFToMM.14TH.WC.OS13.028
2014
Other Outputs
Collision avoidance system and method for human commanded systems
McAree, Peter R. and Kearney, Michael (2014). Collision avoidance system and method for human commanded systems. US13883617.
2014
Journal Article
Longwall shearer cutting force estimation
Reid, A. W., McAree, P. R., Meehan, P. A. and Gurgenci, H. (2014). Longwall shearer cutting force estimation. ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, 136 (3) 031008, 031008. doi: 10.1115/1.4026326
2013
Other Outputs
Shovel Load Assist project: C16031
Reid, A. W., Smith, Z. V., McAree, P. R., Cloete, S. and Horberry, T. (2013). Shovel Load Assist project: C16031. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP).
2013
Other Outputs
Minimal Perception Requirements to Support Effective Remote Control of Bulldozers (ACARP Project C20021)
Dudley, John James, Aw, Jonathan and McAree, Peter Ross (2013). Minimal Perception Requirements to Support Effective Remote Control of Bulldozers (ACARP Project C20021). Brisbane Qld Australia: ACARP (Australian Coal Industry Research Program).
2013
Conference Publication
Why the mining industry needs a reference architecture for automation initiatives
Dudley, John J. and McAree, Peter R. (2013). Why the mining industry needs a reference architecture for automation initiatives. IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, Woolongong, NSW, Australia, 9-12 July 2013. Piscataway, NJ, United States: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/AIM.2013.6584357
2013
Conference Publication
Design and construction of a scale robotic excavator work-cell to test automated excavation algorithms
Beasley, Peter and McAree, P. Ross (2013). Design and construction of a scale robotic excavator work-cell to test automated excavation algorithms. IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics: Mechatronics for Human Wellbeing, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 9-12 July 2013. Piscataway, NJ, United States: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/AIM.2013.6584222
2013
Conference Publication
Pose verification for autonomous equipment interaction in surface mining
Green, Matthew E., Ridley, Alexander N. and McAree, P. Ross (2013). Pose verification for autonomous equipment interaction in surface mining. 2013 IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, Woolongong, NSW, Australia, 9-12 July 2013. Piscataway, NJ, United States: IEEE Xplore. doi: 10.1109/AIM.2013.6584257
2013
Book Chapter
Developments in open cut mining
Dight, P. M., Douglas, B., Henley, K., Lumley, G., McAree, P. R., Miller, D., Saydam, S., Topal, E., Wesseloo, J. and Williams, D. J. (2013). Developments in open cut mining. Australasian mining and metallurgical operating practices. (pp. 47-80) edited by W. J. Rankin. Carlton, VIC, Australia: Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
2013
Conference Publication
An evaluation of ranging sensor performance for mining automation applications
Phillips, Tyson, Hahn, Martin and McAree, Ross (2013). An evaluation of ranging sensor performance for mining automation applications. IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics: Mechatronics for Human Wellbeing, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 9-12 July 2013. Piscataway, NJ, United States: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/AIM.2013.6584271
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Ross McAree is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
ADVANCED AUTONOMY FOR UNMANNED VEHICLES
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tyson Phillips
-
Doctor Philosophy
Mission Planning for Autonomous Dozers
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zane Smith
-
Doctor Philosophy
Mapping Unstructured Environments for Real-Time Pose Estimation using Multimodal Perception to Explore and Provide Trusted Autonomy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tyson Phillips, Dr Jasmin Martin
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of a smart spreader system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Micah Nehring, Dr Tyson Phillips, Professor Peter Knights
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Building and maintaining real-time terrain maps for autonomous bulldozer mining
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kevin Austin, Dr Tyson Phillips
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Mission planning under bounded rationality for autonomous excavation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kevin Austin
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Autonomous material characterisation for precision mineral extraction
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Traction Estimation and Adaptive Autonomous Driving for an Articulated Mining Truck
Principal Advisor
-
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Achieving a Representation of Asset Data Conducive to Machine Learning driven Predictive Maintenance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Hyland-Wood, Professor Peter Knights
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2019
Master Philosophy
A treatise on the productivity of semi-automated pivot push bulldozing
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Determining and verifying object pose from LiDAR measurements to support the perception needs of an autonomous excavator
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Master Philosophy
Scan matching for terrain mapping in open-pit mining
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kevin Austin
-
2014
Master Philosophy
Enhancing Awareness to Support Teleoperation of a Bulldozer
Principal Advisor
-
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Estimating and verifying truck pose for automated excavator loading
Principal Advisor
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Failure detection in longwall armored face conveyors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Hal Gurgenci
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
Avoidance filtering for human-commanded manipulation systems using constrained control
Principal Advisor
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
Algorithms for Collision Hulls and their Applications to Path Planning
Principal Advisor
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
Optimal drill pattern assignment for multi boom jumbos
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kevin Austin
-
-
2008
Master Philosophy
Models for predictive control of electric mining shovels
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor David Mee
-
2006
Doctor Philosophy
GEOMETRIC ALGORITHMS FOR MACHINE DYNAMICS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Hal Gurgenci
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2006
Master Philosophy
QUANTIFYING ROAD SURFACE QUALITY FOR UNDERGROUND HAUL ROADS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Hal Gurgenci
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
A METHODOLOGY FOR MONITORING TYRE-FORCES ON OFF-HIGHWAY MINING TRUCKS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Hal Gurgenci
-
2003
Master Philosophy
EFFECT OF BLASTING PATTERNS ON EXCAVATOR RELIABILITY AND MAINTENANCE
Principal Advisor
-
2020
Master Philosophy
A perception pipeline exploiting trademark databases for service robots
Associate Advisor
-
2012
Master Philosophy
Gas Turbine Control in Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Plants
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Hal Gurgenci
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
IMPLEMENTATION OF CMAC AS A NEURAL NETWORK CONTROLLER ON MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Ross McAree directly for media enquiries about:
- Automation and autonomous systems
- Autonomous mining equipment
- Mechanical engineering
- Mechatronic engineering
- Safety related control systems
- Societal consequences of automation
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