The Hartford Ubiquitous Systems for Lives (HUSL) Group, led by Assistant Professor Dongbin Kim (CETA), is celebrating a milestone year defined by major research achievements, national recognition, and new opportunities for global engagement. HUSL is a pioneering research group dedicated to developing robotic systems that can protect and save human lives in hazardous or high-risk environments. With a focus on human-robot collaboration, situational awareness, and resilient aerial platforms, the group aims to create technologies that enhance safety and support critical operations during emergencies and disasters. From launching a fully operational fleet of advanced drones to earning top honors in robotics research, HUSL continues to solidify its place as a leader in human-robot collaboration and aerial innovation.
After months of intense development and field testing, HUSL has officially deployed its new fleet of small, medium, and large drones, each engineered for a specialized purpose. Whether performing precision mapping, supporting aerial delivery, or enabling new forms of data collection, these platforms will power a growing portfolio of collaborative research projects. The fleet represents not only a technological accomplishment, but a significant step toward real-world impact across industries that rely on robotics for efficiency, safety, and exploration.
This momentum is echoed in the recognition earned by HUSL Director Dr. Dongbin Kim, whose recent journal article, “Human-Embodied Drone Interface for Aerial Manipulation: Advantages and Challenges,” was named a Best Paper Finalist by the Journal of Intelligent Service Robotics. Supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the study introduces a novel human-embodied control interface that enables dexterous aerial manipulation, offering new possibilities for tasks such as bridge inspection and infrastructure maintenance. The distinction underscores the lab’s growing influence in advancing the future of drone-human interaction.
HUSL’s impact was also on display at the prestigious robotics conference, IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), where Dr. Kim delivered an invited keynote at the Aerial Physical Interactions workshop. Sharing the stage with leading global experts highlighted the lab’s rising visibility on an international scale and reaffirmed its role in shaping the direction of aerial robotics research. With IROS 2026 in Pittsburgh already on the horizon, HUSL is preparing to present its newest innovations to the world stage.
Expanding its global footprint even further, HUSL has been selected to host the prestigious WEST (Work, English Study, Travel) program beginning in Spring 2026. Jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the Korea Ministry of Education, WEST offers top South Korean students and young professionals the opportunity to intern, study, and engage in cultural exchange in the United States. The selection carries personal significance for Dr. Kim, an alumnus of the program and reflects HUSL’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and developing the next generation of robotics talent.
Together, these milestones mark a transformative period for HUSL. As the lab continues to expand its research capabilities and collaborations, it remains dedicated to advancing aerial robotics in ways that create meaningful societal impact.