Prof. Andrzej Mas這wski has spent a large part of his scientific career developing computing tools. He has also inspired others in this field, with 13 senior researchers earning doctoral degrees under his supervision.

This experience has helped Mas這wski advance his work as a designer of software for intelligent mobile systems, or more specifically mobile robot control systems. Over the past few years, Mas這wski has been working on creating an intelligent device that will replace humans in performing dangerous tasks. To date, one spectacular effect of this endeavor is the SR-10 Inspector surveillance mobile robot used by anti-terrorist units. This remote-controlled robot detects and disarms explosives. In 1999, its prototype won recognition by the NASA Space Telerobotics Program. Today the robot is part of equipment routinely used by anti-terrorist police units in Poland and other countries as well as by troops carrying out military missions.

But before Mas這wski became preoccupied with robotics, his professional career focused on nuclear reactors. After graduating from the Department of Power and Aeronautical Engineering at the Warsaw University of Technology, he worked at the Nuclear Research Institute in 安ierk near Warsaw. His research into the complex processes taking place in a reactor produced results in the form of a doctoral degree. He obtained it for developing a method for determining the space and time distribution of various physical properties in a nuclear reactor. Later on, in his work for a post-doctoral lecturing degree, he dealt with methods to describe process changes under incomplete data, which means in a situation when a detailed model of certain physical phenomena cannot be developed. In such a case, only a part of the model is based on data obtained through experiments, while the remaining part is based on theory, complicated calculations and computer simulations.

How long can an engineer be preoccupied with theory alone? Not long-which explains why Mas這wski went on to become interested in automatics and robotics, especially as he was transferred to the Bia造stok University of Technology, where he founded a new degree program and obtained the title of associate professor of technical sciences. His yearlong scholarship at Rutgers University in the United States opened a window on the world for him, as he puts it. He expanded his knowledge of robotics during his several-month-long lecturing tours at universities of technology in Israel and South Korea. At the same time, his work at the Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurement (PIAP) in Warsaw brought numerous research projects, along with new studies, designs and prototypes-though some of his ideas, such as one on equipping automobiles with special devices that would make life easier for disabled drivers, never got past the planning stage.

Meanwhile, praise from the Swiss National Science Foundation-for developing a system to remotely control the U.S.-designed Nomad mobile robot through the internet-brought Mas這wski international recognition. Then followed the famous Inspector project and advanced surveillance systems for the military and police. Mas這wski worked on these projects jointly with the Military Technical Academy (WAT) in Warsaw. Subsequently they began working together on applying advanced methods of analysis to help investigators apprehend those responsible for bomb attacks.

In the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the United States, Mas這wski proposed that, in crisis situations, such as terrorist attacks and natural disasters, intelligent mobile systems be used to increase security in public transportation such as the subway, trains and buses. Such systems would combine satellite monitoring with a system of remote-controlled mobile platforms supported by small autonomous robots moving around and feeding important information to the operator. These kinds of projects have been implemented by the PIAP Team for Intelligent Mobile Systems.

Following an appointment by the minister of science and higher education, Mas這wski is a member of the Working Group on Safety, Rescue and Security at the International Advanced Robotics Program (IARP), where he represents Poland. He was recommended for the position by the IARP's scientific council.

Mas這wski also works as a teacher in academia. As a full professor at the Warsaw University of Technology, he lectures on automatics and robotics, educating future engineers. He plans to start a group of experts on smart mobile systems. His idea is to introduce an intelligent robot, or a "humanoid agent," to be used in advanced mobile robotics projects, meaning a network of surveillance robots. Making this idea materialize is his main objective today, and his greatest dream is to create an intelligent robot with an IQ of 200. If this dream ever comes true, he will finally have the time to read all those fascinating books that he has always wanted to read-fiction rather than just science. Even when he manages to get out of the city on occasion to spend the weekend in his country cottage near Warsaw, his thoughts continue to revolve around computers and electronic diagrams and charts. His wife, a mathematician, and their son, a robotics specialist and computer scientist, share Mas這wski's scientific interests. Only the professor's daughter, who is a lawyer, aided by their cat Magister, sometimes manages to make him take a break from these high-brow pursuits and try some more mundane activities for a change-such as talking a walk in the forest, for example.
Danuta G鏎ecka