Curriculum vitae
Joshua Cherian Varughese
Senior Robotics Engineer · Senior Researcher
Linz, Austria joshuacherian.v@gmail.com LinkedIn
Robotics engineer, lecturer and researcher with 10+ years across autonomous systems, swarm robotics, embedded systems and simulation - spanning industrial robot software development, EU-funded research and real-world robotic deployments.
Experience
- 04/2024 - Present
Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria
Postdoctoral Researcher, Intelligent Transport Systems
- Leading development of last-mile delivery and autonomous mobility capabilities within the department.
- Technical lead and coordinator for the EU-funded OptiPEX project, aligning research, industry stakeholders and public transport innovation initiatives.
- Lecturer for “Introduction to Autonomous Vehicles”, mentoring graduate students in autonomy stacks and system integration.
- Applied research in machine learning for mobility and intelligent transportation systems.
- 09/2021 - 03/2024
DS Automotion GmbH Linz, Austria
Robotics Core Software Developer
- Built C++ drivers and control modules for industrial mobile robots - localization, actuation and battery systems.
- Spearheaded hardware integration, software development and testing of the Fastbots system across its first three iterations.
- Implemented the core localization interface and other central components of the shipped Fastbots product.
- Contributed to software architecture decisions for scalable, production-grade autonomous systems.
- Worked across mechanical, electrical and product teams to move prototypes onto deployable robotic platforms.
- 11/2015 - 07/2021
Artificial Life Lab, University of Graz Graz, Austria
Researcher
- Designed and implemented bio-inspired swarm intelligence algorithms for multi-robot systems in simulation and on physical robots.
- Developed embedded C/C++ software for sensing, communication and actuation modules.
- Ran real-world underwater robotic field deployments in the Venice lagoon, validating distributed control strategies outside the lab.
- Designed and implemented embedded temperature gradient systems for classrooms.
- Published extensively in swarm robotics, adaptive systems and collective intelligence.
- 06/2012 - 10/2015
Micron Semiconductor Asia Ltd. Singapore
Process Engineer
- Process owner for four FEOL photolithography processes during a 3D NAND ramp-up.
- Led troubleshooting and qualification of tools using statistical process control.
- Served as shift-in-charge during the critical production startup phase.
- 06/2010 - 07/2012
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. Gurgaon, India
Assistant Manager, Plant Maintenance
- Reduced robotic system downtime from 7 days to 1 day by introducing offline testing and training systems.
- Developed a statistical analysis tool to identify chronic breakdown patterns and improve preventive maintenance planning.
- Led maintenance teams responsible for industrial robotic arms and plant automation systems.
Education
- 11/2015 - 11/2019
Graz University of Technology (TU Graz)
PhD in Computer Science
Investigated a unifying paradigm to unite bio-inspired collective behaviours and validated it on real robots. Advisors: Prof. Franz Wotawa, Prof. Thomas Schmickl.
- 07/2012 - 06/2013
National University of Singapore (NUS)
MSc in Mechatronics
Major in control systems and embedded systems. GPA 4.25/5.
- 08/2006 - 05/2010
National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jamshedpur
BTech, Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Major in control systems and embedded systems. GPA 8.92/10.
Skills
- Autonomy & Navigation
- ROS · ROS 2 · NAV2 · SLAM · ICP · NDT · A* · Hybrid A*
- Estimation & Control
- Particle Filter · Kalman Filter · Sensor fusion · Motion control
- Learning & Perception
- YOLOvX · CSRNet · Applied ML for mobility
- Simulation
- NVIDIA Isaac · Gazebo
- Languages
- C++ · Python · C
- Embedded & Hardware
- Embedded C/C++ · FreeRTOS · EagleCAD · EtherCAT · CAN · CANopen
- Industrial Automation
- Mitsubishi PLCs · Sigmatek IO · Kawasaki arms · Yaskawa arms
- Spoken languages
- English · German · Malayalam · Hindi
Selected publications
- 2026
Assessing Localization Technologies for Pedestrian Collision Avoidance
J. C. Varughese, J. Gorospe, N. Certad, C. Olaverri-Monreal
IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (IV), Naples
- 2026
Optimising CSRNet with parameter-free attention mechanisms for crowd counting in public transport
A. Rostamza, E. Del Re, J. C. Varughese, C. Olaverri-Monreal
arXiv:2605.18349
- 2025
Evaluating Pedestrian Risks in Shared Spaces Through Autonomous Vehicle Experiments on a Fixed Track
E. Del Re, N. Certad, J. C. Varughese, C. Olaverri-Monreal
36th IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (IV)
- 2025
V2P Collision Warnings for Distracted Pedestrians: A Comparative Study with Traditional Auditory Alerts
N. Certad, E. Del Re, J. C. Varughese, C. Olaverri-Monreal
36th IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (IV)
- 2025
Shadow Erosion and Nighttime Adaptability for Camera-Based Automated Driving Applications
M. Sabry, G. Schroeder, J. C. Varughese, C. Olaverri-Monreal
36th IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (IV)
- 2025
Understanding Visually Impaired Tramway Passengers' Interaction with Public Transport Systems
D. Mimra, D. Kaar, N. Certad, E. Del Re, J. C. Varughese, D. Seibt, C. Olaverri-Monreal
AHFE International Conference, AHFE Open Access vol. 186
- 2025
Machine Learning-Based Performance Evaluation of a Solar-Powered Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hybrid in a Radio-Controlled Electric Vehicle
A. Aghanouri, M. Sabry, J. C. Varughese, C. Olaverri-Monreal
IEEE International Conference on Vehicular Electronics and Safety (ICVES)
- 2025
Determinants of Public Transport Usage Frequency Among Older Adults in Four EU Countries
A. S. Lombas, A. Lucas-Alba, F. Schmalfuß, J. Kallio, J. C. Varughese, et al.
9th HUMANIST Virtual Centre of Excellence Conference
- 2023
D2.1 Stakeholder analysis and needs for passenger-aware on-board services
N. Certad, J. C. Varughese, E. Del Re, et al.
OptiPEX - Horizon Europe project deliverable
- 2021
Autonome Roboterschwärme als Stabilisatoren gefährdeter Ökosysteme
M. Szopek, R. Thenius, M. Stefanec, D. Hofstadler, J. C. Varughese, M. Vogrin, et al.
universi - Universitätsverlag Siegen
- 2020
CIMAX: Collective Information Maximization in Robotic Swarms Using Local Communication
H. Hornischer, J. C. Varughese, R. Thenius, F. Wotawa, M. Füllsack, T. Schmickl
Adaptive Behavior
- 2020
A swarm design paradigm unifying swarm behaviors using minimalistic communication
J. C. Varughese, H. Hornischer, P. Zahadat, R. Thenius, F. Wotawa, T. Schmickl
Bioinspiration & Biomimetics
- 2019
Collective Event Detection Using Bio-inspired Minimalistic Communication in a Swarm of Underwater Robots
J. C. Varughese, H. Hornischer, R. Thenius, F. Wotawa, T. Schmickl
The 2019 Conference on Artificial Life, 31:634–641
- 2019
swarmFSTaxis: Borrowing a Swarm Communication Mechanism from Fireflies and Slime Mold
J. C. Varughese, R. Thenius, F. Wotawa, T. Schmickl
Complex Adaptive Systems: Views from the Physical, Natural, and Social Sciences (Springer)
- 2018
A Model for Bio-Inspired Underwater Swarm Robotic Exploration
J. C. Varughese, R. Thenius, P. Leitgeb, F. Wotawa, T. Schmickl
IFAC-PapersOnLine 51(2):385–390
- 2018
WOSPP - A Wave Oriented Swarm Programming Paradigm
R. Thenius, J. C. Varughese, D. Moser, T. Schmickl
IFAC-PapersOnLine 51(2):379–384
- 2018
Artificial plants - vascular morphogenesis controller-guided growth of braided structures
D. N. Hofstadler, J. C. Varughese, S. A. Nielsen, D. A. Leon, P. Ayres, P. Zahadat, et al.
arXiv:1804.06343
- 2017
Quantification and Analysis of the Resilience of Two Swarm Intelligent Algorithms
J. C. Varughese, R. Thenius, T. Schmickl, F. Wotawa
GCAI 2017 - EPiC Series in Computing, 50:148–161
- 2016
FSTaxis Algorithm: Bio-Inspired Emergent Gradient Taxis
J. C. Varughese, R. Thenius, F. Wotawa, T. Schmickl
15th International Conference on the Synthesis and Simulation of Living Systems (ALIFE), MIT Press
- 2016
subCULTron - Cultural Development as a Tool in Underwater Robotics
R. Thenius, D. Moser, J. C. Varughese, S. Kernbach, I. Kuksin, O. Kernbach, et al.
Artificial Life and Intelligent Agents Symposium (Springer)
- 2024
Organisms as sensors in biohybrid entities as a novel tool for in-field aquatic monitoring
W. Rajewicz, C. Wu, D. Romano, A. Campo, F. Arvin, A. J. Casson, G. Jansen van Vuuren, C. Stefanini, J. C. Varughese, B. Lennox, S. Schönwetter-Fuchs, T. Schmickl, R. Thenius
Bioinspiration & Biomimetics
- 2022
Lifeforms potentially useful for automated underwater monitoring systems
W. Rajewicz, D. Romano, J. C. Varughese, T. Schmickl, R. Thenius
Artificial Life Conference Proceedings
- 2021
Freshwater organisms potentially useful as biosensors and power-generation mediators in biohybrid robotics
D. Romano, J. C. Varughese, G. Jansen van Vuuren, A. Campo, R. Thenius, T. Schmickl
Biological Cybernetics
- 2021
Biohybrid entities for environmental monitoring
R. Thenius, W. Rajewicz, J. C. Varughese, S. Schönwetter-Fuchs, F. Arvin, et al.
Artificial Life Conference Proceedings
Invited talks
-
OptiPEX: Revolutionierung der öffentlichen Verkehrsmittel durch nutzerzentrierte Innovationen und Nachhaltigkeit
Forum Verkehr: KI & Digitalisierung im Verkehr, Vienna
-
Optimizing passenger experience in public transport systems
11th Logistic Research Austria (LRA) Workshop, Bad Schallerbach
Honors & awards
- 2019
Successfully incubated a startup at Science Park Graz
Science Park Incubator, Graz
- 2009
Best engineering design award - vehicle design, BAJA SAE all-terrain vehicle design and racing competition
BAJA SAE, Indore
- 2009
Editor-in-chief, annual university magazine
NIT Jamshedpur
- 2009
President of the university student council
NIT Jamshedpur
- 2005
Gold and bronze medalist, national level athletics
All India Athletic Meet, Hyderabad