Key Takeaways:
- Mississippi State University (MSU) hosted the 7th International Symposium on Advanced Vehicle Technology to showcase its work in autonomous vehicles
- The symposium brought together researchers from around the world to share their latest work on the future of vehicles
- MSU’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) is a hub for research and development in autonomous vehicles, with a 55-acre autonomous vehicle proving ground
- The university is engaging students at K-12 and college levels to prepare a workforce capable of designing and operating autonomous vehicles
- MSU-developed software, such as the MSU Autonomous Vehicle Simulator (MAVS) and NATURE, is being used to advance autonomous vehicle technology
Introduction to the Symposium
The 7th International Symposium on Advanced Vehicle Technology was recently held at Mississippi State University (MSU), bringing together researchers from around the world to share their latest work on the future of vehicles. The symposium, which took place at MSU’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS), included sessions on a range of topics related to autonomous vehicles, including modeling and simulation, vehicle sensors, human-AI interactions, and next-generation traffic safety. According to Daniel Carruth, CAVS associate director for advanced vehicle systems, "This is an exciting time as new technologies allow us to reimagine how we interact with vehicles and how our vehicles interact with the world around them."
CAVS and the Autonomous Vehicle Proving Ground
The symposium included tours of CAVS and the center’s 55-acre autonomous vehicle proving ground, which was renovated this year. The proving ground allows researchers to test autonomous vehicles and the software powering them in an off-road environment, with several military applications and collaborations with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The proving ground is a valuable resource for researchers, providing a safe and controlled environment to test and develop autonomous vehicle technology. As Carruth noted, "We are proud to host this international gathering on campus," and the proving ground is an important part of the university’s research efforts.
Advances in Autonomous Vehicle Technology
One of the key technologies showcased at the symposium was the MSU Autonomous Vehicle Simulator (MAVS), which enables simulation of off-road, autonomous ground vehicles. According to Christopher Goodin, CAVS associate research professor, MAVS addresses several use cases, including detecting obstacles hidden by dense vegetation, optimizing sensor placement, and finding paths. The software can also simulate teamwork among multiple vehicles in off-road environments, allowing researchers to simulate thousands of variables that would be cost-prohibitive to replicate in the real world. Goodin highlighted the benefits of MAVS, saying "This lets us see decentralized control of a group of vehicles in off-road settings," and noted that it allows researchers to simulate a wide range of scenarios and variables.
Preparing the Next Generation of Researchers
MSU is also engaging students at K-12 and college levels to help prepare a workforce capable of designing and operating autonomous vehicles for industries such as agriculture and manufacturing. The university has developed the NATURE (Navigating All Terrains Using Robotic Exploration) open-source software, which provides a full suite of algorithms for autonomous off-road navigation. As Carruth noted, "We want a software stack that shows students how these systems can fulfill real-world needs, such as a farmer navigating a dirt road or utilities inspecting safety equipment." By providing students with hands-on experience and training, MSU is helping to prepare the next generation of researchers and engineers to work in the field of autonomous vehicles.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The 7th International Symposium on Advanced Vehicle Technology was a success, bringing together researchers from around the world to share their latest work on the future of vehicles. MSU’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems is a hub for research and development in autonomous vehicles, and the university is well-positioned to continue advancing this technology in the years to come. With its state-of-the-art facilities, including the 55-acre autonomous vehicle proving ground, and its commitment to engaging students and preparing the next generation of researchers, MSU is playing a leading role in shaping the future of autonomous vehicles. As the technology continues to evolve and improve, it is likely that we will see significant advances in the field, and MSU will be at the forefront of these developments. For more information on CAVS and its work in autonomous vehicles, visit www.cavs.msstate.edu.