Dr. Sebastian Scherer

Associate Professor

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Biography

Sebastian Scherer is an Associate Research Professor at the Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University. He has expertise in robotics, particularly in the development of unmanned rotorcraft capable of operating in cluttered low-altitude environments. His research has led to significant advancements in obstacle avoidance technologies for both Yamaha RMax and micro aerial vehicles, along with the automatic landing zone detection for full-size helicopters. Dr. Scherer earned his BS in Computer Science with a minor in Robotics in 2004, followed by his MS and Ph.D. in Robotics in 2007 and 2010, respectively, from Carnegie Mellon University. He has been recognized with several awards, including the Siebel Scholar distinction and the AIAA@Infotech Paper Runner-up Award in 2010. His work on self-landing helicopters was highlighted in Popular Science's What's New in 2010, showcasing his influence in the field of robotics. He is dedicated to advancing the capabilities of unmanned systems through innovative algorithm development and practical applications.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Research Professor

2010-01-01 — Present

Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

Focuses on robotics, particularly unmanned rotorcraft and algorithm development.

Awards

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Siebel Scholar

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AIAA@Infotech Paper Runner-up Award

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Popular Science What's New Award

Requirements for Carnegie Mellon University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
GRE General
Verbal
Required:158
Quantitative
Required:149
Analytical Writing
Required:4
Overall
Required:4
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field Research experience/publications
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • GRE scores (optional but reported in profile)
  • English Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo)
Specialization Notes

Admission is extremely competitive with no strict GPA cut-offs; holistic review is used.