Bio

Dr. Marco Pavone is an Assistant Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Stanford University, where he also holds courtesy appointments in the Department of Electrical Engineering, in the Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering, and in the Information Systems Laboratory. He is a Research Affiliate at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institute of Technology. Before joining Stanford, he was a Research Technologist within the Robotics Section at JPL. He received a Ph.D. degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2010. Dr. Pavone’s areas of expertise lie in the fields of controls and robotics.

Dr. Pavone is a recipient of a NASA Early Career Faculty award, a Hellman Faculty Scholar Award, and was named NASA NIAC Fellow in 2011. At JPL, Dr. Pavone worked on the end-to-end optimization of the mission architecture for the Mars sample return mission. He has designed control algorithms for formation flying that have been successfully tested on board the International Space Station.

Dr. Pavone is the Director of the Autonomous Systems Laboratory (ASL). The goal of ASL is the development of methodologies for the analysis, design, and control of autonomous systems, with a particular emphasis on large-scale robotic networks and autonomous aerospace vehicles. The lab combines expertise from control theory, robotics, optimization, and operations research to develop the theoretical foundations for networked autonomous systems operating in uncertain, rapidly-changing, and potentially adversarial environments. Theoretical insights are then used to devise practical, computationally-efficient, and provably-correct algorithms for field deployment. Applications include robotic transportation networks, sensor networks, agile control of spacecraft during proximity operations, and mobility platforms for extreme planetary environments. Collaborations with NASA centers are a key component of the research portfolio.

Academic Appointments

Honors & Awards

  • NIAC Fellow, NASA (2011)
  • Hellman Faculty Scholar Award, Hellman Fellows Fund (2012)
  • Early Career Faculty award, NASA (2012)
  • Frontiers of Engineering Program, National Academy of Engineering (2013)
  • CAREER Award, NSF (2015)

Professional Education

  • Ph.D., MIT, Aeronautics and Astronautics (2010)

Contact

2015-16 Courses

Stanford Advisees

All Publications

  • Chance-constrained dynamic programming with application to risk-aware robotic space exploration AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS Ono, M., Pavone, M., Kuwata, Y., Balaram, J. 2015; 39 (4): 555-571

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s10514-015-9467-7

    View details for Web of Science ID 000362960600007

  • Fast marching tree: A fast marching sampling-based method for optimal motion planning in many dimensions INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBOTICS RESEARCH Janson, L., Schmerling, E., Clark, A., Pavone, M. 2015; 34 (7): 883-921

    View details for DOI 10.1177/0278364915577958

    View details for Web of Science ID 000355612400004

  • Trading Safety Versus Performance: Rapid Deployment of Robotic Swarms With Robust Performance Constraints JOURNAL OF DYNAMIC SYSTEMS MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME Chow, Y., Pavone, M., Sadler, B. M., Carpin, S. 2015; 137 (3)

    View details for DOI 10.1115/1.4028117

    View details for Web of Science ID 000349754500007

  • A Framework for Time-Consistent, Risk-Averse Model Predictive Control: Theory and Algorithms 2014 AMERICAN CONTROL CONFERENCE (ACC) Chow, Y., Pavone, M. 2014: 4204-4211

    View details for Web of Science ID 000346492604129

  • A Machine Learning Approach for Real-Time Reachability Analysis 2014 IEEE/RSJ INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INTELLIGENT ROBOTS AND SYSTEMS (IROS 2014) Allen, R. E., Clark, A. A., Starek, J. A., Pavone, M. 2014: 2202-2208

    View details for Web of Science ID 000349834602048

  • Toward a Systematic Approach to the Design and Evaluation of Automated Mobility-on-Demand Systems: A Case Study in Singapore ROAD VEHICLE AUTOMATION Spieser, K., Treleaven, K., Zhang, R., Frazzoli, E., Morton, D., Pavone, M. 2014: 229-245

    View details for DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-05990-7_20

    View details for Web of Science ID 000345580200020

  • A Unifying Framework for Time-Consistent, Risk-Averse Model Predictive Control: Theory and Algorithms Chow, Y., L., Pavone, M. 2014
  • Asymptotically Optimal Algorithms for One-to-One Pickup and Delivery Problems With Applications to Transportation Systems IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON AUTOMATIC CONTROL Treleaven, K., Pavone, M., Frazzoli, E. 2013; 58 (9): 2261-2276

    View details for DOI 10.1109/TAC.2013.2259993

    View details for Web of Science ID 000323568500009

  • Spacecraft/Rover Hybrids for the Exploration of Small Solar System Bodies 2013 IEEE AEROSPACE CONFERENCE Pavone, M., Castillo-Rogez, J. C., Nesnas, I. A., Hoffman, J. A., Strange, N. J. 2013

    View details for Web of Science ID 000320123902023

  • Internally-Actuated Rovers for All-Access Surface Mobility: Theory and Experimentation Allen, R., Pavone, M., McQuin, C., Nesnas, I., Castillo, J., Nguyen, T., N. 2013
  • Guidance, Navigation, and Control Technology Assessment for Future Planetary Science Missions. Technical Report for Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Quadrelli, M., McHenry, M., Wilcox, B., Hall, J., Volpe, R., Nesnas, I., Pavone, M. 2013
  • Decentralized decision-making on robotic networks with hybrid performance metrics Rossi, F., Pavone, M. 2013
  • A Uniform-grid Discretization Algorithm for Stochastic Optimal Control with Risk Constraints Chow, Y., L., Pavone, M. 2013
  • Asymptotically Optimal Algorithms for Pickup and Delivery Problems with Application to Large-Scale Transportation Systems IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control Treleaven, K., Pavone, M., Frazzoli, E. 2013
  • Rebalancing the Rebalancers: Optimally Routing Vehicles and Drivers in Mobility-on-Demand Systems Smith, S., L., Pavone, M., Schwager, M., Frazzol, E., Rus, D. 2013
  • Stochastic Optimal Control With Dynamic, Time-Consistent Risk Constraints Chow, Y., L., Pavone, M. 2013
  • Rebalancing the Rebalancers: Optimally Routing Vehicles and Drivers in Mobility-on-Demand Systems 2013 AMERICAN CONTROL CONFERENCE (ACC) Smith, S. L., Pavone, M., Schwager, M., Frazzoli, E., Rus, D. 2013: 2362-2367

    View details for Web of Science ID 000327210202087

  • Decentralized decision-making on robotic networks with hybrid performance metrics 2013 51ST ANNUAL ALLERTON CONFERENCE ON COMMUNICATION, CONTROL, AND COMPUTING (ALLERTON) Rossi, F., Pavone, M. 2013: 358-365

    View details for Web of Science ID 000350802400050

  • Internally-Actuated Rovers for All-Access Surface Mobility: Theory and Experimentation 2013 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION (ICRA) Allen, R., Pavone, M., McQuin, C., Nesnas, I. A., Castillo-Rogez, J. C., Tam-Nguyen Nguyen, T. N., Hoffman, J. A. 2013: 5481-5488

    View details for Web of Science ID 000337617305075

  • Stochastic Optimal Control With Dynamic, Time-Consistent Risk Constraints 2013 AMERICAN CONTROL CONFERENCE (ACC) Chow, Y., Pavone, M. 2013: 390-395

    View details for Web of Science ID 000327210200065

  • Robotic load balancing for mobility-on-demand systems INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBOTICS RESEARCH Pavone, M., Smith, S. L., Frazzoli, E., Rus, D. 2012; 31 (7): 839-854

    View details for DOI 10.1177/0278364912444766

    View details for Web of Science ID 000304699300004

  • Cost Bounds for Pickup and Delivery Problems with Application to Large-Scale Transportation Systems 2012 AMERICAN CONTROL CONFERENCE (ACC) Treleaven, K., Pavone, M., Frazzoli, E. 2012: 2120-2127

    View details for Web of Science ID 000310776202068

  • Models and Asymptotically Optimal Algorithms for Pickup and Delivery Problems on Roadmaps Treleaven, K., Pavone, M., Frazzoli, E. 2012
  • A Risk-Constrained Multi-Stage Decision Making Approach to the Architectural Analysis of Mars Missions Kuwata, Y., Pavone, M., Balaram, J. 2012
  • Spacecraft/Rover Hybrids for the Exploration of Small Solar System Bodies. Final Report for NASA NIAC 2011 Program. Pavone, M., Castillo, J., Hoffman, J., Nesnas, I. 2012
  • A Risk-Constrained Multi-Stage Decision Making Approach to the Architectural Analysis of Planetary Missions 2012 IEEE 51ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON DECISION AND CONTROL (CDC) Kuwata, Y., Pavone, M., Balaram, J. (. 2012: 2102-2109

    View details for Web of Science ID 000327200402078

  • Models and Efficient Algorithms for Pickup and Delivery Problems on Roadmaps 2012 IEEE 51ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON DECISION AND CONTROL (CDC) Treleaven, K., Pavone, M., Frazzoli, E. 2012: 5691-5698

    View details for Web of Science ID 000327200405158

  • Observational Strategies for the Exploration of Small Solar System Bodies Castillo, M., Pavone, M., Nesnas, I., Hoffman, J. 2012
  • Dynamic Vehicle Routing for Robotic Systems PROCEEDINGS OF THE IEEE Bullo, F., Frazzoli, E., Pavone, M., Savla, K., Smith, S. L. 2011; 99 (9): 1482-1504

    View details for DOI 10.1109/JPROC.2011.2158181

    View details for Web of Science ID 000294126300004

  • Distributed Algorithms for Environment Partitioning in Mobile Robotic Networks IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON AUTOMATIC CONTROL Pavone, M., Arsie, A., Frazzoli, E., Bullo, F. 2011; 56 (8): 1834-1848

    View details for DOI 10.1109/TAC.2011.2112410

    View details for Web of Science ID 000293750600007

  • Adaptive and Distributed Algorithms for Vehicle Routing in a Stochastic and Dynamic Environment IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON AUTOMATIC CONTROL Pavone, M., Frazzoli, E., Bullo, F. 2011; 56 (6): 1259-1274

    View details for DOI 10.1109/TAC.2010.2092850

    View details for Web of Science ID 000291430200003

  • An Asymptotically Optimal Algorithm for Pickup and Delivery Problems 2011 50TH IEEE CONFERENCE ON DECISION AND CONTROL AND EUROPEAN CONTROL CONFERENCE (CDC-ECC) Treleaven, K., Pavone, M., Frazzoli, E. 2011: 584-590

    View details for Web of Science ID 000303506201029

  • Load Balancing for Mobility-on-Demand Systems Pavone, M., Smith, S., L., Frazzoli, E., Rus, D. 2011
  • Distributed Control of Spacecraft Formations via Cyclic Pursuit: Theory and Experiments JOURNAL OF GUIDANCE CONTROL AND DYNAMICS Ramirez-Riberos, J. L., Pavone, M., Frazzoli, E., Mille, D. W. 2010; 33 (5): 1655-1669

    View details for DOI 10.2514/1.46511

    View details for Web of Science ID 000282073600030

  • DYNAMIC VEHICLE ROUTING WITH PRIORITY CLASSES OF STOCHASTIC DEMANDS SIAM JOURNAL ON CONTROL AND OPTIMIZATION Smith, S. L., Pavone, M., Bullo, F., Frazzoli, E. 2010; 48 (5): 3224-3245

    View details for DOI 10.1137/090749347

    View details for Web of Science ID 000277585500002

  • Fundamental Performance Limits and Efficient Policies for Transportation-On-Demand Systems Pavone, M., Treleaven, K., Frazzoli, E. 2010
  • Dynamic Vehicle Routing with Stochastic Time Constraints 2010 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION (ICRA) Pavone, M., Frazzoli, E. 2010: 1460-1467

    View details for Web of Science ID 000284150000098

  • Fundamental Performance Limits and Efficient Polices for Transportation-On-Demand Systems 49TH IEEE CONFERENCE ON DECISION AND CONTROL (CDC) Pavone, M., Treleaven, K., Frazzoli, E. 2010: 5622-5629

    View details for Web of Science ID 000295049106063

  • A Stochastic and Dynamic Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows and Customer Impatience MOBILE NETWORKS & APPLICATIONS Pavone, M., Bisnik, N., Frazzoli, E., Isler, V. 2009; 14 (3): 350-364

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s11036-008-0101-1

    View details for Web of Science ID 000265045000008

  • Sharing the Load Mobile Robotic Networks in Dynamic Environments IEEE ROBOTICS & AUTOMATION MAGAZINE Pavone, M., Savla, K., Frazzoli, E. 2009; 16 (2): 52-61

    View details for DOI 10.1109/MRA.2009.932528

    View details for Web of Science ID 000267126600009

  • Equitable Partitioning Policies for Robotic Networks ICRA: 2009 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION, VOLS 1-7 Pavone, M., Arsie, A., Frazzoli, E., Bullo, F. 2009: 3979-3984

    View details for Web of Science ID 000276080402023

  • Sharing the load IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine Pavone, M., Savla, K., Frazzoli, E. 2009; 16 (2): 52-61
  • Distributed Control of Spacecraft Formation via Cyclic Pursuit: Theory and Experiments 2009 AMERICAN CONTROL CONFERENCE, VOLS 1-9 Ramirez, J. L., Pavone, M., Frazzoli, E., Miller, D. W. 2009: 4811-4817

    View details for Web of Science ID 000270044902138

  • Dynamic Multi-Vehicle Routing with Multiple Classes of Demands 2009 AMERICAN CONTROL CONFERENCE, VOLS 1-9 Pavone, M., Smith, S. L., Bullo, F., Frazzoli, E. 2009: 604-609

    View details for Web of Science ID 000270044900099

  • Distributed Policies for Equitable Partitioning: Theory and Applications 47TH IEEE CONFERENCE ON DECISION AND CONTROL, 2008 (CDC 2008) Pavone, M., Frazzoli, E., Bullo, F. 2008: 4191-4197

    View details for Web of Science ID 000307311604052

  • Dynamic vehicle routing with heterogeneous demands Smith, S., L., Pavone, M., Bullo, F., Frazzoli, E. 2008
  • Decentralized policies for geometric pattern formation and path coverage JOURNAL OF DYNAMIC SYSTEMS MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME Pavone, M., Frazzoli, E. 2007; 129 (5): 633-643

    View details for DOI 10.1115/1.2767658

    View details for Web of Science ID 000249705300007

  • Decentralized algorithms for stochastic and dynamic vehicle routing with general demand distribution Pavone, M., Frazzoli, E., Bullo, F. 2007
  • Decentralized Vehicle Routing in a Stochastic and Dynamic Environment with Customer Impatience Pavone, M., N., B., Frazzoli, E., Isler, V. 2007
  • Decentralized policies for geometric pattern formation 2007 AMERICAN CONTROL CONFERENCE, VOLS 1-13 Pavone, M., Frazzoli, E. 2007: 5823-5828

    View details for Web of Science ID 000252258804102

  • Climbing Obstacle in Bio-robots via CNN and Adaptive Attitude Control International Journal of Circuit Theory and Applications Pavone, M., Arena, P., Fortuna, L., Frasca, M., Patanè, L. 2006; 34 (1): 109-125
  • An innovative mechanical and control architecture for a biomimetic hexapod for planetary exploration Space Technology Pavone, M., Arena, P., Patanè, L. 2006; 26 (1-2): 13-24
  • Realization of a CNN-Driven Cockroach-Inspired Robot Arena, P., Fortuna, L., Frasca, M., Patanè, L. 2006
  • Towards autonomous adaptive behavior in a bio-inspired CNN-controlled robot Arena, P., Fortuna, L., Frasca, M., Patanè, L., Pavone, M. 2006
  • An innovative mechanical and control architecture for a biomimetic hexapod for planetary exploration Pavone, M., Arena, P., Patanè, L. 2005
  • Climbing Obstacles via Bio-Inspired CNN-CPG and Adaptive Attitude Control Arena, P., Fortuna, L., Frasca, M., Patanè, L., Pavone, M. 2005