Polly Alexander

Software Engineer

Contact

Science Area

• Robotics

Biography

I grew up in Brisbane and attended the University of Queensland studying a dual degree in Engineering(Electrical)and Arts(History). I studied one semester overseas at Luleå Tekniska Universitet where I undertook subjects in Human Machine Interaction, and Snow (mechanical, chemical, and physical properties). I have worked in a diverse range of places and fields from various hospitality jobs, to the Californian ski fields, to an underground Coal Mine.

My electrical engineering degree finished with a thesis topic centered around the design and construction of a robotic cocktail maker. This was an inspiration to me on the potential applications of robotics to everyday life. Since starting my position as a software engineer in the Autonomous Systems Lab I have had the chance to work on many different robot platforms, a cable array robot, a Hot Metal Carrier, a dragline (used for coal mining), and an explosive loading truck. Through these and other projects in the lab I have found a continual interest in robotics and fascination with making things move on their own.