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"Unusual" unmanned aircraft are being built at the U-M Aerospace Department, and they are breaking barriers. Professor Ella Atkins focuses on autonomous systems, teaching aircraft how to be more efficient or how to handle anomalies. This type of automation would be critical in accidents such as aircraft hitting birds, allowing the computers to make analysis and decisions in a much faster timeframe than humans can. About the Professor: Ella Atkins (http://aerospace.engin.umich.edu/people/faculty/atkins/) is an Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering (http://aerospace.engin.umich.edu/) at the University of Michigan College of Engineering. Her research program focuses on the integration of strategic and tactical planning and optimization algorithms to enable robust, autonomous aircraft and spacecraft flight in the presence of system failures and environmental uncertainties.