Home > Meet our faculty > Branesh Madhavan Pillai

Dr. Branesh Madhavan Pillai

Position
Assistant Professor
Unit
Industrial Systems Engineering (ISE)
Faculty of Technology
Contact Info
[email protected]
Media Links
Personal website
PROFILE
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
RESEARCH INTERESTS
TEACHING
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
ONGOING AND COMPLETED PROJECTS
AWARDS AND HONORS
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
RESEARCH KEYWORDS

Dr. Branesh M. Pillai is an Assistant Professor of the Medical Engineering program in the Department of Industrial Systems Engineering at Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. His research primarily focuses on Robot Control Systems, Surgical Robotics, Rehabilitation Robotics, Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, Artificial Intelligence, AR/VR systems, and Heterogeneous Robots.

  1. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Engineering – Mahidol University, Thailand (2019)
  2. MSc by Research in Electrical Engineering – University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (2013)
  3. Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical & Electronics – Anna University, India (2007)

Research Interests of Dr. Branesh Madhavan Pillai include:

  1. Rehabilitation: Robot assisted Exoskeleton, Elderly Care and Mobility, Gait Analysis
  2. Surgical Robotics:  Surgical Navigation and Robots, Computer-assisted surgery, Haptics
  3. Medical Devices: Medical Device and Robot Standards, Product Development
  4. Field Robotics: Heterogenous Robots (UGV, UAV, USV), Rough Terrain Robotics
  5. AI/ Machine Learning: Diagnostic and Imaging Robots, Drug Delivery Robots
  6. Robot Control System: Adaptive control, Model-based algorithms, Model predictive control
  7. Biomimetics: Medical Biomimetic Robots, Microneedles and micro robotic grippers
  1. AT74.07 Automation Technology
  2. AT74.11 Haptics
  3. AT86.03 Biomechanics
  4. AT84.06 Biomimetics

Below are some of the latest selected journal articles by Dr. Pillai:

  1. Dileep S, Pillai MB, Suthakorn J, Songpol O*. Adaptive polynomial predictive filter for sensor data estimationand prediction in interference environment. IET Control Theory & Applications, 2025;19: e12771
  2. Dileep S, Songpol O, Moonjitha C, Suthakorn J, Pillai MB*. A Pack Hunting Strategy for Heterogeneous Robots in Rescue Operations. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics. 2025; 20 (1): 016029.
  3. Chumnanvej S, Pillai BM, Suthakorn J, Chumnanvej S. Revised in-depth meta-analysis on the efficacy of robot-assisted versus traditional free-hand pedicle screw insertion. Laparoscopic, Endoscopic and Robotic Surgery. 2024; 7 (3): 155-165.
  4. Dileep S, Pillai MB, Suthakorn J, Songpol O. Adaptive polynomial Kalman filter for nonlinear state estimation in modified AR time series with fixed coefficients. IET Control Theory & Applications. 2024; 18: 1806-1824.
  5. Sakol N, Pillai MB, Areesak, Suthakorn J. Sensorless based Haptic Feedback Integration in Robot-Assisted Pedicle Screw Insertion for Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Preliminary Cadaveric Study. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal 2024; 24 (1): 420-433.
  6. Pillai MB, Suthakorn J, Sivaraman D, Nakdhamabhorn S, Nillahoot N, Ongwattanakul S, Matsuno F, Svinin M, Magid E. A heterogeneous robot’s collaboration for safety, security, and rescue robotics: e-ASIA joint research program for disaster risk and reduction management. Advanced Robotics 2024; 38 (3): 129-151.
  7. Pillai MB, Owatchaiyapong P, Treratanakulchai S, Sivaraman D, Ongwattanakul S, Suthakorn J. Lower Limb Exoskeleton with Energy-Storing Mechanism for Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation. IEEE Access. 2023; 11:133850-66.
  8. Chumnanvej S, Ariyaprakai K, Pillai BM, Suthakorn J, Gurusamy S, Chumnanvej S. Cost-effectiveness of robotic-assisted spinal surgery: A single-center retrospective study. Laparoscopic, Endoscopic and Robotic Surgery. 2023;6(4):147-53.
  9. Sivaraman D, Ongwattanakul S, Suthakorn J, Pillai BM*. Nonlinear Dynamic States’ Estimation and Prediction Using Polynomial Predictive Modeling. IEEE Canadian Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2023; 46(3): 185 – 195.
  10. Nillahoot N, Pillai BM, Sharma B, Wilasrusmee C, Suthakorn J. Interactive 3D Force/Torque Parameter Acquisition and Correlation Identification during Primary Trocar Insertion in Laparoscopic Abdominal Surgery: 5 Cases. Sensors. 2022;22(22):8970.
  11. Sharma B, Pillai BM, Borvorntanajanya K, Suthakorn J. Modeling and Design of a Stair Climbing Wheelchair with Pose Estimation and Adjustment. Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems. 2022;106(3):66.
  12. Sharma B, Pillai BM, Suthakorn J. Biomechanical Trajectory Optimization of Human Sit-to-Stand Motion with Stochastic Motion Planning Framework. IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics. 2022;4(4):1022-33.
  13. Madhavan B, Suvitha A, Steephen A, Pillai BM. Novel La1− xCaxTi1− yTayO3-δ perovskites with enhanced conductivity for solid oxide fuel cell electrodes. Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 2022; 915:165370.
  14. Ajay P, Nagaraj B, Pillai BM, Suthakorn J, Bradha M. Intelligent ecofriendly transport management system based on iot in urban areas. Environment, Development and Sustainability. 2022:1-8.
  1. Kishore M, Sharma B, Pillai BM, Suthakorn J. Model predictive control-based thermoelectric cooling for rough terrain rescue robots. IEEE Access. 2021; 9:167652-62.
  1. Project Title: Development of a Bio-Inspired Hexapod Robot: Integrating Kinematic and Dynamic Analysis with Reinforcement Learning to Emulate Ant Biomechanics and Behavior.
    Funding source: IEEE RAS Support Program to foster Academic Relationships and eXchange (SPARX) Mentee
    Duration of Project: Sept 2024 to Dec 2025
    Role in project:  Mentee
  2. Project Title: Development of an AI-powered Robotic System for Knee Rehabilitation with Haptics and Immersive VR Gaming.
    Funding source: AIT – Research Initiation Grant
    Duration of Project: Jan 2025 to Dec 2026
    Role in project:  Principal Investigator (PI)
  1. National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) (Gold Prize): “BART LAB Intelligent Robotic Stair Clibing Wheelchair” at 2024 Bangkok International Intellectual Property, Invention, Innovation and Technology Exposition (IPITEx 2024).
  1. National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) (Gold Prize): “BART LAB AI-Elderly Supporting Robot in Sit-to-Stand and Walk Applications” at 2024 Bangkok International Intellectual Property, Invention, Innovation and Technology Exposition (IPITEx 2024).
  1. Korea Invention Promotion Association (KIPA) (International Special Prize): “BART LAB Intelligent Robotic Stair Climbing Wheelchair” at 2024 Bangkok International Intellectual Property, Invention, Innovation and Technology Exposition (IPITEx 2024).
  2. Mahidol Postgraduate Scholarships Award for 3 years (2014-2017)
  3. BART LAB Scholarship award for 2 years (2018-2019)
  4. The Best Paper Award: Simulation of mobile robot navigation with sensor fusion on an uneven path, IEEE ICCPCT 2014.
  5. The Best Paper Award: Frequency Response Based Analysis and Designing of Bilateral Control System, IEEE ICCPCT 2014.
  6. The Best Paper Award: Virtual torsional spring based bilateral control system for soft manipulation, IEEE ICCPCT 2013.
  1. Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (MIEEE)
  2. Member of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IES)
  3. Member of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS)
  4. Member of the International Association of Engineers (IAENG)
  1. Robot Control Systems
  2. Surgical Robotics
  3. Rehabilitation Robotics
  4. Artificial Intelligence
  5. Biomimetics, and Bioinspiration.