AE Seminar
Extended Reality Simulation and
Neuroadaptive Control of Rotorcraft
ft
Umberto Saetti
Assistant Professor | Department of Aerospace Engineering | University of Maryland,
Thursday, February 13
Time: TBD
Guggenheim 442
About the Seminar:
Rotorcraft flight dynamics simulations have evolved substantially over the past decade, integrating higher-fidelity aeromechanics models to address the increasing complexity of modern configurations, such as Future Vertical Lift (FVL) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicles. These designs, featuring multiple rotors, significant aerodynamic interactions, and variable-speed propulsion systems, demand advanced modeling approaches that are both accurate and efficient. One way to meet these demands is to formulate these simulations (including the aeromechanics and aeroacoustics) in such a way that they can be linearized and subjected to model-order reduction, enabling real-time piloted simulations and making flight control design more tractable.
This seminar presents recent developments in aircraft and rotorcraft simulations, focusing on the integration of coupled flight dynamics, state-variable aeromechanics, and aeroacoustics. These models are deployed in real-time piloted simulations using virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) to enhance pilot immersion through multi-modal cueing, including full-body haptics and spatial audio. The talk will also explore novel approaches to estimating pilot workload and enabling control through neurophysiological wearable sensors, such as EEG and fNIRS, within an extended reality (XR) environment. Broader implications for human-machine interaction, neuro-adaptive control, and autonomy are discussed, highlighting future directions in simulation-based research and design.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Umberto Saetti is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland, where he leads the Extended Reality Flight Simulation and Control Lab. His research focuses on the modeling, simulation, order reduction, and control of coupled flight dynamics, aeromechanics, and aeroacoustics of vertical lift vehicles. These models are applied to immersive simulations leveraging Extended Reality (XR), human-machine interaction, the synthesis of advanced flight control laws, and the development of multimodal, neuro-adaptive pilot cueing methods.
Prior to his current position, Dr. Saetti served as an Assistant Professor at Auburn University and held a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech. He also worked as a Visiting Scholar at the U.S. Army Aviation Development Directorate at NASA Ames. Dr. Saetti earned a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Computational Science, an M.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering, and an M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, all from Pennsylvania State University. He received his B.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering from Politecnico di Milano in Italy.
In recognition of his research contributions, Dr. Saetti has received several prestigious honors, including the 2024 Aerospace Control and Guidance Systems Committee (ACGSC) Dave Ward Memorial Lecture Award, the 2024 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) award, the 2022 Office of Naval Research (ONR) Young Investigator Program (YIP) award, and the 2019 Vertical Flight Foundation (VFF) Barnes McCormick Memorial Scholarship.