Catarina Carvalho (SCOM) and André Aguiar (CRIIS)

Catarina Carvalho (SCOM)

“SCOM would like to nominate Catarina for the excellent work done in coordinating the entire organisation of the INESC TEC Season Party. In 2023, the event took on a completely revamped format, integrating new segments into the agenda, e.g., ‘INESC TEC Bidons d’Or’ or ‘Never Have I Ever.’ Catarina’s dedication, commitment, responsibility, and attention to detail were crucial to a smooth event. The Season Party was, according to all the feedback, a huge success, and we know that Catarina’s work was vital to the positive results”.

– SCOM coordinators

This nomination stems from the INESC TEC Season Party – which, in 2023, took on a different format. What was the most challenging aspect of organising this event, specially considering the different novelties?

I’ve been at INESC TEC for seven years; during this period, I’ve been involved in organising the Season Party. It has been an ever-evolving process, but the leap taken in 2023 was huge. Therefore, the main and biggest challenge was deciding to take significant risks. From there, it was a somewhat bumpy path of small challenges, but we overcame and surpassed them all to achieve our goal. Everything was different and innovative – and, consequently, much more demanding: from the venue to the format, content, and dynamics. While preparing something completely renewed, the expectations regarding feedback on all new aspects grew, because we didn’t want to lose the connection to an event that had been part of INESC TEC’s essence for so many years. But after this leap and the good results, I believe there’s no turning back!

INESC TEC is an organisation with hundreds of employees from various areas, ages, and nationalitie; how important is it to promote these social moments that allow people to meet in a different context than their day-to-day work?

We have been witnessing a growing concern at INESC TEC with the implementation of different social moments among all members, throughout the year. The differences among us, especially in terms of nationalities, turn these moments into vital opportunities to welcome and socialise with everyone. This is how people get to know each other, build relationships of trust, and establish contacts, creating an environment that allows them to feel happy and sage in their workplace. And that’s why we invest a lot of work in these initiatives, considering that the positive feedback we receive is the greatest proof that they are, indeed, very important.

Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?

When it comes to organising events, I must say the interaction with people. The fact that I can provide unique, fun, relaxing, or even educational moments to different audiences, whose opinions end up being positive and favourable, is very rewarding.

How do you comment on this nomination?

Organising the Season Party was, without any doubt, a team effort; we all took risks, worked hard, and dedicated ourselves to this event, so it could be a success. And I am very happy with the result. Naturally, I’d like to thank SCOM for this nomination, which acknowledges my daily efforts; however, I must also thank the group of people who contributed to the success of this event.

André Aguiar (CRIIS)

“The coordinators of CRIIS would like to nominate researcher André Aguiar. This nomination stems from André Aguiar’s extraordinary professionalism, motivation, and dedication in the various research activities he has been developing at CRIIS, culminating in the successful completion of his PhD, in 2023 – and the approval of his application for the scientific position promoted by FCT, ranking first. Over the three years of his PhD, André Aguiar produced several relevant scientific contributions, leading to more than 20 scientific publications in conferences and indexed journals. This work was successfully translated into a software module applied to robots, called VineSLAM – which has been used in the prototypes of the CRIIS TRIBE laboratory’s robots, with several tech demonstrations in real-world contexts. André has demonstrated a high level of professionalism and dedication that deserves public recognition in this section”.

– CRIIS coordinators

You contributed to the development of the VineSLAM software module applied to different prototypes of the Centre; could you tell us more about this tool, its benefits, and how it differs from other tools?

VineSLAM is a 3D localisation and mapping system for agricultural robots that stands out for the ability to handle the challenging features of the environments in which these robots operate, e.g., uneven terrain, steep slopes, absence of GNSS signal, and extensive working areas. This system can create 3D representations of highly unstructured environments like mountain vineyards or forests, while accurately estimating the robots’ location. This solution opens the door to process automation in agriculture and forestry, enabling the implementation of autonomous ground robotics in these environments.

Thinking about your several scientific publications, is there one you would like to highlight for its impact, or the relevance of the results?

My most impactful work was published in the Journal of Field Robotics: “Topological map-based approach for localization and mapping memory optimization.” This work allows VineSLAM to operate in agricultural environments without temporal and spatial constraints, enabling robots to navigate autonomously for extended periods, and in large-scale environments.

What was the main theme of your PhD, and how does it meet the activities carried out at CRIIS?

The main theme of my PhD – “Localization and Mapping based on Semantic and Multi-Layer Maps Concepts” – focused on exploring and developing a robust 3D localisation and mapping system for agricultural environments. This work allows estimating the position of a certain agricultural robot, while simultaneously creating a 3D representation of the surrounding environment – which can be used by agronomy experts to characterise crops. This work fits into various national and European projects in the field of robotics for agriculture in which the TRIBE laboratory plays a significant role, thus empowering robots to navigate autonomously.

Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?

Working with a fantastic team every day, towards promoting a more efficient and sustainable agriculture. I also enjoy the opportunity to conceptualise, develop, and refine disruptive solutions with a direct application and impact on society, especially in the field of agriculture.

How do you comment on this nomination?

Firstly, I would like to thank the CRIIS coordinators; then, my colleagues at the TRIBE laboratory and our leader Filipe Santos, without whom it would be impossible to achieve these goals.