Workshop Launches Research Cluster for Unmanned Autonomous Systems
September 04, 2014
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (right) and Del. Bobby Scott at the UAS roundtable at Old Dominion University in January.
The Old Dominion University research cluster dedicated to unmanned autonomous systems (UAS) will be formally launched at a workshop Thursday, Sept. 11, at the new Engineering Systems Building.
The event seeks to help clarify ODU's role in this increasingly important technology.
From Internet bots to remotely piloted aircraft, autonomy in software and hardware systems is playing a larger role in everyday life and making an impact on a global scale.
Eric Weisel, director of research and development with ODU's Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology, said the attention paid to UAS has brought many large industry players into the new field.
"What we want to do is identify what our niche is within the broader sector," he said. "We will be using the workshop to kick off the new Unmanned Autonomous Systems and Robotics Cluster in the Batten College."
The UAS cluster promotes research and develops undergraduate and graduate curricula in unmanned systems, autonomy and robotics with an objective to extend the impact of ODU's research in these areas.
The Sept. 11 workshop, which runs from 12-2 p.m. in the research Collaboratory on the second floor of the Engineering Systems Building, will include a panel discussion moderated by Shirshak Dhali, associate dean of ODU engineering.
VADM (ret.) David Architzel, Old Dominion University's director of military affairs, will participate in the panel and speak about current UAS programs within the U.S. Department of Defense and federal government.
On Jan. 15, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce held a hearing on UAS examining the industry in the United States, including the current and potential applications of UAS and steps taken to facilitate the development of the industry through the FAA Modernization and Reform Act, of 2012.
In late 2013, Virginia was selected as one of six UAS test sites nationwide, and Old Dominion University was selected as part of a coalition of Virginia universities tasked with supporting that test site.
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) chaired a roundtable meeting with government, military and industry leaders at Old Dominion University in January. The event was designed to focus research efforts in the region to support this goal.
That coalition of research universities is pivotal if the Virginia UAS test site is to be selected as a permanent FAA facility, Warner noted at the event.
"We need to recognize that we are at the cutting edge of what can become a huge new industry, to not only fly these vehicles, but design and build them right here in Virginia, with our hub here in Hampton Roads," he said.
The Sept. 11 event at the Engineering Systems Building features research presentations by Khan Iftekharuddin, professor and director of the ODU Vision Lab, on computational vision for unmanned systems; and Yiannis Papelis, research professor at ODU's Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center, who will speak on current research in robotics.
Open discussion topics at the forum include Old Dominion University's UAS and related expertise, and a discussion on what ODU's niche can become.
Lunch will be provided. Please confirm attendance by email to Eric Weisel at eweisel@odu.edu.