We are delighted to share that the paper “Consensus-Based Distributed Connectivity Control in Multi-Agent Systems” , authored by K. Griparić, M. Polić, M. Križmančić and S. Bogdan, was recently listed among the most popular papers in IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering (TNSE), one of the leading journals in networked systems and autonomous control. The paper addresses a classic, yet challenging problem in multi-agent systems: how to maintain and control network connectivity in a fully distributed way. In such systems, autonomous agents (robots, sensors, vehicles, etc.) have to work together without centralized direction, keeping communication links strong enough to coordinate actions and share information. The authors propose a trust-based, consensus-driven approach for estimating and controlling the connectivity of the communication network, using only local information exchanged between neighbouring agents. The strategy is validated in both simulations and physical robot experiments, demonstrating its effectiveness under various conditions, system sizes and deployment scenarios. Being recognised as one of the most accessed articles highlights the broad interest and relevance of this fundamental research, and its contribution to the fields of distributed control, multi-robot systems and networked autonomy. Congrats to the authors and thank you for advancing the scientific conversation in autonomous systems. 

The UpLine project concluded with a final workshop and system demonstrations held from 13 to 16 January 2026 at HEP’s Training and Education Center in Velika. Over three days, the project team presented the final results of the UpLine project to colleagues from HEP-ODS, with a strong focus on autonomous inspection of overhead power lines using drones. The workshop combined live system demonstrations with open discussions about the current use of drones in inspections and the potential for future deployment within HEP. An important part of the workshop was the exchange of practical experience. HEP-ODS employees shared valuable insights from their day-to-day use of drones in overhead line inspections, helping connect research results with real operational needs. The UpLine team would like to thank the management of HEP-NOC Velika for their continuous support and for providing access to the testing grounds throughout the project. Special thanks go to Vanja Tomašek for coordinating the cooperation with HEP-ODS during the project. The workshop marked a great conclusion to the project and an important step toward bringing research-based solutions closer to real-world application.

Assoc. Prof. Matko Orsag has been appointed as Deputy Member of the expert working group responsible for drafting the National Industry Development Plan of the Republic of Croatia for the period 2027–2034. Additionally, Prof. Orsag will be accompanying the Action Plan for its implementation. The appointment follows the official decision issued in Zagreb earlier in January. The working group will contribute to shaping strategic directions for the long-term development of Croatian industry.  Participation in this national-level expert group represents an important recognition of FER’s expertise and LARICS’ contribution to advanced engineering, robotics and innovation-driven industrial development. We're beyond proud of this achievement! 

We’re excited to share that Matko Orsag from our lab will be a guest on HRT3’s science show “Znanstveni koncentrat”, 15 December from 1 PM CET. Matko will reflect on the European Space Perspectives colloquium held at FER and offer insights into Europe’s direction in space technologies, as well as Croatia’s role in that story. In case you're interested in robotics, space, or Europe’s technological future, you don't want to miss this conversation.

We’re excited to share a special milestone in the early days of the POSEIDON project! Our brand-new Unitree Go2 Air quadruped robot has officially arrived in the lab! This agile four-legged robot will play a key role in developing POSEIDON’s autonomous multi-robot system for monitoring and protecting marine environments. Equipped to operate on challenging terrain, the Go2 Air will be deployed from a USV using a robotic arm and sent to explore areas inaccessible to drones. The robot will help us push forward research on autonomy, mobility, sensing and coordination within complex maritime environments. We have already got used to our newest resident!

Showcasing a Novel Approach to Extending the Lifetime of UAV Communication Networks We’re excited to announce that our research paper has been officially accepted for presentation at the IEEE MRS 2025 conference in Singapore! Khawaja Lamadar, LARICS researcher, has written a paper titled Perch-Aware Decentralised Control for Extending the Lifetime of UAV Communication Networks, in which he introduces a decentralised and energy-efficient strategy to prolong the operational lifetime of aerial communication networks. By incorporating perching strategies together with a switching-controller algorithm, LARICS' approach maintains network connectivity for significantly longer periods while reducing overall power consumption. Best of luck to Khawaja and the LARICS team in Singapore later this year! 🤞

On 20 November 2025, Ericsson Nikola Tesla hosted Inventorium Day, an annual event showcasing the joint research and innovation efforts of Ericsson Nikola Tesla (ENT) and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER). The gathering once again highlighted Inventorium as a vibrant hub where academia and industry come together to shape next-generation technologies. LARICS was proud to present its activities within this interdisciplinary ecosystem. With Inventorium equipped for advanced work in telecommunications, 5G, IoT, intelligent systems, XR, data science, AI, and digital twins, LARICS researchers contributed demonstrations aligned with the lab’s mission of pushing technological boundaries. Throughout the day, visitors explored research prototypes and demos in radio technologies, communication security, open RAN, advanced IoT systems, machine learning, generative AI, and XR-based communication tools. These presentations demonstrated how Inventorium is evolving into a key center for developing complex concepts into tangible solutions—supported by strong collaboration and the active participation of groups like LARICS. Inventorium Day once again confirmed the power of partnership: when industry and academia innovate together, meaningful technologies emerge.

The fifth edition of BIND (Be an Engineer for a Day) , a free series of STEM workshops for primary school students, will take place at FER on 29 November 2025 . Kids can join age-appropriate sessions in Scratch , LEGO robotics , and Arduino , designed to spark curiosity and hands-on learning—no prior knowledge needed. BIND is organised by STEMALICA, FER, KSET, and the ŠUZA program, with support from DTX Technologies. Click for more details: https://www.fer.unizg.hr/novosti/novosti?@=32gf0