REU Site: REU Site on Smart UAVs

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This funding renews a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site at Auburn University focused on smart unmanned aerial vehicles (smart UAVs). Undergraduate students design algorithms and techniques to safely, securely, and efficiently fly a fleet of autonomous UAVs in a limited field. A nationwide recruitment process with particular emphasis on the southeast region of the United States is used to select cohorts of undergraduate students to participate in an eight-week summer research program at the host institution. The project includes mentoring by the experienced computer science faculty members, technical seminars and workshops, student presentations, field trips and other professional development opportunities. This project has a strong research basis and the support of a team with research experience as well as experience as pilots. The projects are in timely and appealing and accessible to a broad range of undergraduate students. The research projects are particularly focused on UAV autonomy, collision avoidance, secure communication, stable flight, and energy efficient flight. The students participate in a full range of research activities from preparing research literature reviews to production and dissemination of research results. Emphasis is placed on recruitment of students from under-represented populations and institutions where students have limited research opportunities. This project has the potential to produce new computer science graduate students and faculty members and to advance discovery and understanding while promoting learning.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.