Thomas Stastny

Dr. Thomas Stastny is affiliated with ETH Zürich's Autonomous Systems Department as a Researcher. His work focuses on advancing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies, particularly in control systems, environmental monitoring, and autonomous navigation. Key research areas include fixed-wing UAV dynamics, solar-powered UAVs, wind-aware path optimization, and multi-agent robotic systems. His contributions span theoretical frameworks and experimental validations, with field applications in glacier monitoring and long-endurance aerial sensing.

Research Highlights:

• Developed real-time wind prediction systems for UAVs (WindSeer project)
• Pioneered hybrid UAV designs like Soliro and Dipper for multimodal mobility
• Advanced control methodologies for high-angle-of-attack flight and VTOL transitions
• Explored solar-powered UAVs achieving multi-day endurance records

Technical Expertise:

• Nonlinear model predictive control (MPC)
• Sensor fusion (radar/vision integration)
• Aerodynamic modeling and system identification
• Autonomous navigation algorithms

His research integrates robotics, aerospace engineering, and environmental science to create robust airborne systems for challenging operational environments.