Gary Cross

Gary Cross has worked in the field of robotics and autonomous control systems since 2003. Gary began their career as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer at Flybe, where they gained experience in hydraulics, pneumatics, oxygen systems, and structural repairs. In 2008, they moved to Zircon Software Limited, where they worked as a Graduate Software Engineer and developed programming experience in C# and the .Net framework. In 2009, they joined BAE Systems as a Research Scientist and progressed to become a Principal Research Scientist. During their nine years at BAE Systems, they led the research and development of autonomous functionality for BAE Systems' robotics platforms and worked with internal and external partners to create trials plans and safety cases. In 2019, they joined Rovco as a Senior Robotics Engineer and was later promoted to Principal Robotics Engineer, leading the conceptualization, design, and development of a novel autonomous system for the application of inspection and intervention of offshore renewable assets. In 2021, they became the Autonomy Team Lead at Vaarst, where they are responsible for researching and developing core software and hardware functionality for Vaarst's and Rovco's fully autonomous subsea inspection systems.

Gary Cross completed a Bachelor's Degree in Robotics from the University of the West of England from 2004 to 2008. Prior to that, they completed an Apprenticeship in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician from Aviation Services (BAE Systems) from 1999 to 2002.