We will build and expand on a modular miniature smart‑city testbed with multiple autonomous vehicles and instrumented infrastructure. Achieve robust single‑car autonomy (perception, localization, control) then scale to coordinated multi‑vehicle traffic (junction rules, L3 autonomy, collision avoidance). Add energy‑aware routing with autonomous charging and task allocation. Build on the existing hardware-software framework int he lab, […]
March 2, 2026
DRIVE: Data-driven Research and Innovation for Vehicle and Infrastructure Ecosystems
This team will establish an interdisciplinary research hub advancing connected and automated mobility systems through student-driven, experiential research. Students engage across the system-of-systems lifecycle, from real-world data collection and AI-enabled analytics, to application development in control, planning, and decision-making, and to multi-resolution simulation and real-world testing. Individual projects address technical, social, or policy dimensions, while […]
February 28, 2026
Photonic Materials from Nanocrystals to Bulk
Crystals are more than beautiful geometric forms—they are the backbone of modern photonics, quantum technologies, and other advanced applications. The goals of this VIPR are to investigate and engineer the structure–property relationships that govern crystal performance across length scales. Students work in a collaborative research team to design, synthesize, and characterize crystals and integrate spectroscopy, […]
February 28, 2026
Hydropolis: Urban Infrastructure and Hydrology Research
Hydropolis creates sustainable, resilient, and biodiverse communities by analyzing ecosystems and designing interventions like green spaces, waterway rehabilitations, and infrastructural innovations across urban and rural contexts. Our hybrid approach combines engineering, design, and communication science to reimagine infrastructure and how it is understood. We investigate an array of exciting topics that include water quality management […]
February 28, 2026
Earth System Model Analysis for Industry Applications
Weather and climate events can have major impacts on society, via both extremes and persistent conditions. These events can impact society directly, such as damaging infrastructure and transportation systems, disrupting agricultural and industrial operations, and loss of lives, as well as indirectly by disturbing natural ecosystems. This project team will develop reliable climate data analysis […]
February 28, 2026
Design of a Grading-Sorting System for Agriculture Post-Harvest Handling
Design and prototype an automated grading and sorting system for post-harvest agricultural products that improves efficiency, accuracy, and product quality. The system will integrate machine vision, sensing, and mechanical handling to classify produce by size, shape, color, and defects. Emphasis will be placed on gentle handling to minimize damage, modular design for different crops, and […]
February 28, 2026
Smart 3D Food Manufacturing Enabled by Nutrient Optimization Algorithms
The goal of this project is to develop a 3D food printing system capable of producing customized food products tailored to the specific dietary needs of different population groups. By integrating nutritional science with precise formulation and printing technologies, the project aims to deliver personalized foods with controlled nutrient composition, and portion size to support […]
February 27, 2026
AI Agents for a Sustainable Food Supply
Interactive AI agents will be used to revolutionize how we develop, deploy and manage our food supply, and prepare students for a workforce prioritizing agentic AI literacy. UGA excels in developing new crop varieties and providing agronomic advice. AI agents can be used to aid key breeding decisions as well as provide advice on crop […]
February 23, 2026
This project will develop MEMS sensor networks to monitor transportation networks for the safety of both transportation infrastructure and traffic. Issues involved: 1) How to develop low-cost but reliable sensor networks to monitor the safety of both transportation infrastructures and traffic?, 2) How to deploy the sensors in the field with minimum perturbations to existing […]
February 23, 2026
Resilient Biometrics and Cybersecurity Systems VIPR Team
The Resilient Biometrics and Cybersecurity Systems (RBCS) VIPR Team will design and develop robust, explainable, and human-centered AI systems for identity management, digital forensics, physical access control, and multispectral target recognition in constrained and unconstrained environments. Students will be trained to conduct interdisciplinary research integrating biometrics, cybersecurity, and advanced imaging to develop resilient identity technologies […]
December 2, 2024
This VIPR team is an interdisciplinary group that examines the risks posed by severe and extreme weather to communities and vital systems. These risks include, but are not limited to, high winds, extreme heat, flooding, drought, and wildfires. The team investigates the interconnected effects of these events – particularly compound and cascading hazardous weather – […]
December 2, 2024
Agriculture productivity and livestock health are significantly influenced by factors such as ammonia levels, methane emissions, temperature, humidity, and soil moisture. Traditional sensing solutions often lack precision, durability, or affordability for widespread deployment, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This VIPR team will address these challenges by developing smart, affordable, and customizable sensors. The sensors […]
December 2, 2024
Developing Techniques & Devices for AI Enabled Earth-Observing Small Satellites VIPR Team
With the proliferation of satellites in space, low Earth orbit traffic becomes “jammed”, making it necessary to be more efficient in space-based data collection and downlink. From the perspective of Earth observers, the way to accomplish this efficiency goal is twofold: 1) Use small satellites (CubeSats), which have shorter mission lifetimes and more easily satisfy […]
December 2, 2024
CoolDawgs: Wearable Sensors-enabled Heat Stress Tracker and Alert System for Pets
Extreme heat is a leading cause of weather-related illness and death among pets and domestic animals. This project aims to design, develop, and evaluate wearable multi-sensor devices, along with companion mobile apps, to continuously monitor animals’ heat stress and notify owners when the risk becomes dangerously high. The system will be tailored to each individual […]
December 2, 2024
Agrivoltaics: Land-Centered Solutions for a Sustainable Energy Transition
Rapid climate change associated with the burning of fossil fuels has stimulated a global transition towards renewable energy sources. However, the lower “energy density” of clean energy sources such as photovoltaics (solar power) means that large areas of land are needed to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Agrivoltaics provides a potential win-win for landowners […]
December 2, 2024
Agricultural Robotics VIPR Team
The primary goal of this VIPR team is to empower students by equipping them with practical skills and cutting-edge theoretical knowledge in the field of agricultural robotics. Through hands-on research, students will delve into concepts, algorithms, and technologies, which they will then apply to real-world agricultural problems. The concepts and technologies initiated by the students […]