Institute for Autonomous and Connected Systems

Drone Flying

The Institute for Autonomous and Connected Systems (IACS) brings together faculty and students across the Colleges of Engineering & Technology, Arts & Letters, Education, and Sciences who have mutual interest in advancing the interdisciplinary research and development of autonomous and connected systems in air, land, space, marine, and maritime applications (e.g., uncrewed drones and robots, autonomous vehicles, vehicle-to-anything (V2X) technologies, and intelligent infrastructure).

The institute serves to elevate awareness of ¹ÏÉñÍø’s expertise in autonomous and connected systems, engage interested researchers together from the four colleges and across campus, connect ¹ÏÉñÍø researchers with relevant industry and government agencies, and pursue large team-based funding opportunities. IACS has an education mission and supports an undergraduate certificate program and a minor in Engineering, Design and Operation of Uncrewed Aerial Systems. The Institute is also poised to create opportunities for research collaboration between the BCET, the Virginia Modeling and Simulation Center (VMASC), and several industry partners in the Hampton Roads regions.

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Interested in Drones and Uncrewed Systems?

ENGN 485: Introduction to Uncrewed Aerial Systems

Mondays, Wednesdays - 7:25 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.

drone-flying-against-blue-sky

This course is the first in a four-course series on designing and building multi-rotor and fixed-wing UAS. It lays the groundwork for new engineering minor and teaches key skills for developing uncrewed autonomous systems. Learn more .

Instructor Julie Young, a certified remote pilot, is program director at eAviation & Drone Academy. She holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from ¹ÏÉñÍø.

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