The Systems group at the School of Engineering Science at SFU conducts interdisciplinary research in the areas of image-guided intervention, multi-robot systems, mobile robotic manipulation, robot navigation and motion planning, patient rehabilitation, medical image processing, and geospatial data processing and analysis.

Our research projects are driven by fundamental problems in these areas, and by challenges faced by Canadian industry, the healthcare sector, and ordinary people. These projects involve mathematical modeling, software algorithms, and mechanical and electronic/electrical hardware designs. Our faculty members have broad backgrounds in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, and work closely with industrial or healthcare partners. This close involvement allows our students to gain hands-on experience in real workplaces, and hence leads them to more successful careers.

Much of the research in Systems concerns different aspects of robotics. Such research involves development of motion planning algorithms including obstacle avoidance that incorporate geometric reasoning to navigate mobile robots autonomously and safely among static and dynamic obstacles. It includes algorithms for manipulation by robotic arms (with end effectors - mechanical hands or grippers) that allow interaction with the surrounding environment and objects. It also involves implementation of vision systems that allow robots to view and interpret visual information around them. Another important aspect of Systems research includes biomedical applications of robotics e.g., design of robot mechanisms for rehabilitation, haptic devices and control systems for minimally invasive surgeries. The design of robots and materials inspired by biological organisms and structures is another key research theme in the Systems group.