Andrea Berra Profile Photo

Andrea Berra

Aerial Robotics Engineer

Passionate about field robotics and creating robust, scalable solutions for industrial applications.

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Technical Skills

C++Python ROS1/ROS2PX4 GazeboDocker GitCI/CD MATLABSimulink Sensor Integration

Languages

Italian (Native) English (Advanced) Spanish (Advanced) French (Basic)

Latest Updates

A1/A3 & A2 Drone Pilot Certificate

EASASeptember 2025

Obtained certification for Open Category drone flight operations under EASA regulations.

New Publication

ICUAS 2025April 2025

New Paper accepted for ICUAS25.

Professional Experience

Researcher

INRIA, Rennes, FranceJan 2025 - Present

Developing innovative aerial robotic platforms for industrial applications requiring physical interaction. My work involves designing, implementing, and optimizing a full software stack, from low-level control to high-level functionalities like GUI, control architecture, and system integration.

C++ Python ROS2 PX4 Gazebo Mujoco Docker Git CI/CD Embedded

Marie-Curie Industrial PhD Student

CATEC Research Center, SevilleSept 2021 - Sept 2024

Focused on developing robust localization and control algorithms for aerial manipulators, bridging academic research with practical industrial challenges to enhance autonomy and reliability in complex environments.

C++ Python ROS1/ROS2 PX4 Gazebo Ardupilot Docker Git Sensor Integration Control systems

R&D Control Engineer

Alstom, Milan, ItalyJun 2020 - May 2021

Contributed to the development of SIL2-compliant control algorithms for the tilting mechanisms of high-speed trains, ensuring safety, performance, and adherence to rigorous industry standards.

C++ Matlab Simulink Git

Education

PhD in Aerial Robotics

University of Seville2021 - Present

As a PhD student, my research focuses on developing and optimizing algorithms for robust localization and control of aerial manipulators. I have gained extensive expertise in conducting rigorous field experiments in industrial settings to validate and improve system performance while contributing to multidisciplinary projects in robotics and automation.

Master's Degree, Automation & Control Engineering

Politecnico di Milano2017 - 2020

Specialized in advanced robotics, automation systems, and control theory, culminating in a thesis that explored novel control strategies for airborne wind energy systems.

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Bachelor's Degree, Automation Engineering

Politecnico di Milano2014 - 2017

Established a strong foundation in the principles of control systems, electronics, and software engineering, preparing me for advanced studies and a career in automation.

Certifications

Remote Pilot Certificate – A1/A3 & A2

EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency)2025

EU-recognized certification for Open Category flight operations, including flights close to people (A2) and in low-risk areas (A1/A3), compliant with EASA regulations.

Autonomous Flight UAV Operations Regulatory Compliance Safety Protocols

Projects

OmniQuad

An open-source omnidirectional quadrotor designed for Aerial Physical Interaction. Features 6-DoF motion, miniaturized haptic joystick, and 90% 3D-printed design. Fully integrated with PX4 and ROS2 for advanced autonomous capabilities.

C++ ROS2 PX4 Gazebo

Geometry-Informed Neural Network Target Localization

A lightweight, real-time target tracking system for circular objects for UAVs. Utilizing YOLO for object detection, GIN is optimized for low computational overhead, enabling deployment on resource-constrained onboard computers.

Python YOLO OpenCV ROS

Publications

Design and Control of an Omnidirectional Aerial Robot with Miniaturized Haptic Joystick for Physical Interaction

J. Mellet, A. Berra, S. Marcellini, M. A. Trujillo, G. Hereida, F. Ruggiero, V. Lipiello

International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS), 2025

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Assisted Physical Interaction: Autonomous aerial robots with neural network detection, navigation, and safety layers

A. Berra, V.N. Sankaranarayanan, AS Seisa, J. Mellet, ...

International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS), 2024

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Aerodynamic Interaction Minimization in Coaxial Multirotors via Optimized Control Allocation

A. Berra, M. A. Trujillo, G. Hereida

Drones, 2024

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Design of a flexible robot arm for safe aerial physical interaction

J. Mellet, A. Berra, AS Seisa, V.N. Sankaranarayanan, ...

IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics, 2024

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AIRFRAME: Fast Prototyping framework for UAVs definitions

A. Berra, PJ Sanchez-Cuevas, M.A. Trujillo, G. Hereida, A. Viguria, ...

International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS), 2023

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An optimal reeling control strategy for pumping airborne wind energy systems without wind speed feedback

A. Berra, L. Fagiano

European Control Conference (ECC), 2021

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