User:Freetheangels/Bhargav Gajjar (Robotics Scientist)

Bhargav Gajjar is an American robotics scientist and founder of Vishwa Robotics. Gajjar’s research, funded by the Pentagon, has led to the development of new technologies and further enhancements in deep sea exploration and drone technology.

Early Life and Education
Gajjar completed his undergraduate work in theoretical physics and mechanical engineering (focused on robotics mechanisms) at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. His interest in physics and engineering would lead him to graduate level study of aerospace engineering and electrical engineering at the University of Central Florida, and then robotics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Career
After graduating from the University of Baroda, Gajjar went to work at the NASA Kennedy Space Center where he was awarded a contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. He was tasked with researching ways to improve the landing and stealth capabilities of Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs).

Gajjar started to observe the landing and research the anatomy and physiology of hawks and other perching birds in order to improve the landing capabilities of the Air Force's surveillance drones. Taking inspiration from the biological musculoskeletal structure of a sparrow hawk’s claw he was able to replicate its basic structure to design a micro MAV landing gear. This design led to the development of a hawk inspired perching surveillance drone, which was capable of a precision landing instead of the typical calculated crash landing of drones. Gajjar founded the robotics company, Vishwa Robotics, allowing him to commercialize on his success and continue to research and develop drones for the United States Air Force. After receiving additional funding, Gajjar was able to develop surveillance drones designed to mimic native bird species from around the world. These advancements led to a unique set of avian-inspired MAVs which could be used for tactical and reconnaissance missions.

Gajjar would go on to work with the  United States Navy to enhance their Atmospheric Diving Suits (ADS) replacing the tradition pincher claws with human like robotic hands that allow glove like function of human fingers. The robotic hand not only improved safety and navigations allowing divers to explore at depths that were once not obtainable it also allowed divers to make use of tools allowing them to perform deep sea rescues and repairs. The robotic hands could also be placed on vehicles allowing diver to remotely pilot vehicles and enter areas deemed to hazardous for humans.