RIT engineering professor is recognized for service to the simulation community
Provided
Michael Kuhl, professor of industrial and systems engineering, accepts his INFORMS Simulation Society Distinguished Service Award from society and selection committee member, Björn Johansson.
Michael Kuhl, professor in RIT’s Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) Department, was recently honored with the INFORMS Simulation Society (I-Sim) Distinguished Service Award at the society’s recent Winter Simulation Conference (WSC). Given for exceptional service to the simulation community, Kuhl was recognized for his distinguished work over his 25+ year career including service as I-Sim president; WSC Board of Directors; WSC program chair, proceedings editor and mobile app chair, among others.
“Mike has always put others first, especially our students. We are honored that his service mindset is recognized beyond our department,” said Katie McConky, department head of Industrial and Systems Engineering in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering. “His technical leadership in systems simulation, coupled with his passion and commitment to serving others, makes him a role model for all of us.”
Kuhl is an expert in simulation and operations research that can be applied to industrial and service systems. He has been instrumental in leading research efforts in the areas of smart warehouse solutions and intelligent material handling options. His project team received a substantial grant for “Effective and efficient driving for material handling,” from The Raymond Corp, and it advances earlier work with the company toward deploying individual autonomous mobile robots.
Specifically, the work focuses on advanced vehicle routing and communication strategies for multiple robots and humans in the warehouse environment. In warehousing operations, there is often a mix of autonomous and human-operated equipment. Navigation strategies need to be integrated with task options, path planning, and recognition of multiple robots able to communicate with one another in real time, and to recognize humans who also will be interacting in the warehouse space.
All research and strategies focus on improving facilities operations. At the recent conference, Kuhl presented a paper (co-authored with Anthony DeVasta) on implementing a simulation-based EML activity into the facilities planning course is taught in the ISE program.
INFORMS is an international association of professions in operations research, simulation, analytics, management science, economics, artificial intelligence and other relevant fields.
