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Calum Arnott

Hey, I’m Calum. I’m a PhD researcher at the University of Edinburgh, interested in robot learning and control: particularly how optimisation-based models can improve control and perception for contact-rich manipulation tasks.

I am based in the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics, as a member of both the Mistry Robotics Lab and the Ocean Systems Lab. Outside of my PhD, I am also Co-founder and Director of Lerta Ltd, a robotics company focused on environmental applications, including early detection of wildfires.

Previously, I developed heavy-lift UAVs and advanced rotor systems at Flowcopter in Edinburgh; researched aerodynamics in the isDynamics Lab at the University of Edinburgh; and worked on superconducting components for medical MRI at Siemens Magnet Technology in Oxford.

By training, I am a mechanical engineer and received my MEng (Hons) from the University of Edinburgh in 2023, graduating with first-class honours at the top of my cohort.

Currently

  • Researching robot learning, control, and manipulation.
  • Building environmental robotics technology with Lerta.
  • Organising notes on my research, engineering projects, and practical builds.

You can find more on my research, projects, and blog, or get in touch.