Off-road autonomy and robotics
Operator-based learning and predictive control for navigation across challenging terrain.
Research & demonstrations
Dynamics and Control for Autonomy and Intelligence
DyCoAI Laboratory
From Mathematical Foundations to Reliable Autonomous Systems.
Welcome to DyCoAI
Mathematical insight.
Real-world autonomy.
We study the dynamics of complex systems and develop the tools to control them reliably. Led by Prof. Umesh Vaidya at Clemson University, our laboratory connects dynamical systems, learning, and optimization with robotics, energy, and networked systems.
Through theory, simulation, and experimentation, we turn mathematical foundations into methods for safe, robust, and intelligent autonomy.
Our research
Foundations and applications
Foundational research
01Operator-Theoretic Methods for Dynamical Systems
Koopman and Perron-Frobenius operators, spectral analysis, and nonlinear dynamics.
Learning, Optimization, and Certified Control
Data-driven models, stability certificates, and safety-constrained control.
Networked and Stochastic Dynamical Systems
Information flow, uncertainty, and the dynamics of interconnected systems.
Application research
01Autonomous Robotics and Off-Road Mobility
Terrain-aware planning and control for ground vehicles and quadruped robots.
Power and Energy Systems
Stability, renewable-energy integration, and robust grid operation.
Cyber-Physical and Networked Systems
Distributed control and optimization under communication constraints.
Research in action
From theory to the field
Operator-theoretic control
Computational tools that connect nonlinear dynamics with data-driven analysis and control.
Explore the research
Reliable power networks
Stability analysis and robust optimization for power systems with uncertainty and renewable generation.
Explore the researchSelected work
Featured publications
Kernel Methods for the Construction of Certified Lyapunov Functions via Approximate Koopman Eigenfunctions
P. Giesl, S. Hafstein, B. Hamzi, J. Lee, H. Owhadi, G. Santin, and U. Vaidya
Data-to-Certificates (D2C): Koopman Supereigenfunctions for Stability, Safety, and Control
Umesh Vaidya
Laboratory updates
News & highlights
Control Properties of Partial Differential Equations: Data-Driven and Operator Theoretic Approach
NSF Division of Mathematical Sciences support for research from August 15, 2026, through July 31, 2029 (estimated).
Spectral Koopman Hopf formula for Reachability with Adversary
Sarang Sutavani and Umesh Vaidya
The people behind the research
An interdisciplinary team at Clemson
Directed by Prof. Umesh Vaidya in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, DyCoAI brings together researchers working across dynamics, control, learning, and autonomy.
Meet the laboratorySupport and collaboration
Funding & Research Partners
We gratefully acknowledge the agencies and partners supporting our research across current and past projects.
