Tulga ErsalView profile
Associate Professor
Tulga Ersal is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering. His work focuses on system dynamics and control, with applications in autonomous vehicles, energy systems, and human-autonomy interaction. He leads research at the 2019 Auto Lab in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and mentors PhD and Master’s students in fields like robotics, powertrain optimization, and biofeedback systems. B.S.E. from Istanbul Technical University (2001) M.S. and Ph.D. from University of Michigan (2003, 2007) Dr. Ersal’s research spans three core areas: Vehicle Systems: Autonomous/semi-autonomous navigation, trajectory planning on deformable terrains, and powertrain management Energy Systems: Battery modeling, fuel cells, microgrid optimization using extremum seeking Human Factors: Driver distraction modeling, cognitive workload estimation via eye tracking, and haptic shared control frameworks His publications often integrate control theory with real-world applications, emphasizing computational efficiency and robustness. Recent work includes terrain-adaptive trajectory planning (2025), Bayesian workload estimation (2024), and 3D terrain navigation algorithms (2023). He advocates for model fidelity and practical implementation in hardware-in-the-loop simulations. Scientific awards include: Kenneth M. Reese Outstanding Research Scientist Award (2018-19) UMOR Research Faculty Recognition Award (2016) Dr. Ersal's advising philosophy prioritizes individualized guidance, weekly one-on-one meetings, and collaborative group discussions. His students frequently present at conferences like the American Control Conference and ASME Dynamic Systems and Control Conference. Funding for student travel comes through Rackham Travel Grants, conference support programs, and research projects.










