Robotics and Intelligent Autonomy (RIA) Lab
The SML Robotics and Intelligent Autonomy (RIA) Lab is a research and development laboratory within the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Smart Mobility and Logistics (IRC-SML) at KFUPM, focused on developing intelligent autonomous systems for real-world mobility, transportation, logistics, industrial, and field applications.
RIA develops the intelligence and autonomy layer that enables robotic systems to perceive and understand their surroundings, localize and navigate, make decisions, plan and control their motion, coordinate with other agents, and operate safely and reliably in complex environments. The Lab brings together robotics, artificial intelligence, sensing and perception, planning, control, learning, and multi-agent systems to create and validate integrated autonomous solutions, rather than focusing primarily on vehicle or robot fabrication.
Research is application-driven and spans a wide range of robotic platforms and operating environments, from autonomous vehicles and mobile robots to legged systems and uncrewed surface vessels. RIA's flagship R&D areas include Autonomous Ground Mobility, Field & Off-Road Autonomy, Multi-Robot & Collaborative Autonomy, and Marine & Cross-Domain Autonomy, with particular emphasis on safe, robust, and deployable autonomy for high-impact applications relevant to Saudi Arabia, the region and beyond.
A central goal of RIA is to bridge the gap between autonomy research and operational deployment by advancing new methods and translating them into integrated prototypes, experimental platforms, field demonstrations, and industry-relevant solutions.
Vision:
To become a leading regional and internationally recognized hub for intelligent autonomy, developing and deploying robotic systems that operate safely, reliably, and collaboratively in complex real-world environments and address strategic challenges in mobility, transportation, logistics, industry, and field operations.
Objectives:
- Advance high-impact research in intelligent autonomy: Develop internationally competitive research in perception, planning, control, safe autonomy, learning-enabled systems, and multi-agent coordination for mobility and logistics.
- Develop autonomy solutions for priority applications in Saudi Arabia: Address real operational needs in mobility, logistics, industrial operations, off-road environments, infrastructure, ports, and marine applications.
- Build a leading autonomy development and validation capability at KFUPM: Enable technologies to progress from algorithms and simulation to integrated robotic systems, rigorous validation, field experiments, and real-world demonstrations.
- Build strategic R&D partnerships with industry and government: Co-develop solutions around high-value operational challenges with transportation, logistics, energy, industrial, infrastructure, maritime, and technology partners.
- Translate research into deployable technologies and impact: Advance promising research toward prototypes, pilots, intellectual property, licensing, startups, and industry adoption.
- Develop talent in physical AI and autonomous systems: Train students and researchers across the full autonomy development cycle, from algorithms and simulation to system integration and field deployment.
