UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #824

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Paul Bupe
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: Dr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): pbupe@fsu.edu
Position Title: Faculty
FSU College (if applicable): N/A
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS)
Headshot (optional): {Empty}

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable): Olugbenga Anubi
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: Dr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): oanubi@fsu.edu

Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Autonomous Aquatic Raft for Coral Reef Monitoring
Project Keywords: Autonomous Vehicles, Robotics, Control Systems, Path Planning, Sensors
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 1
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Open to all Engineering and Computer Science majors 

Project Location:: 2000 Levy Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32310 - Near the MagLab and FAMU-FSU Engineering in Innovation Park 
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: "Innovation" bus route
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: In-person
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 7
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Overall Research Project Description:
This project centers around the development of an autonomous raft equipped with multiple sensors (cameras, sonar, radio teleoperation, temperature, GPS, electrical component health monitoring sensors) to assist in monitoring coral reef health. It is part of a group of projects in our lab that focus on autonomous vehicle research across different settings, including urban roads, water, racing environments, and multi-vehicle collaboration. You will be exposed to key areas such as sensor technologies, environmental perception, vehicle localization, control systems, and artificial intelligence.

Our lab uses the latest technologies in machine learning, control theory, optimization methods, and connected systems to create resilient and autonomous systems. Our research involves multiple disciplines, bringing together expertise from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, embedded systems design, mathematics, and computer science.

Research Tasks:
1) Algorithm Development and Implementation
-- Includes perception, control, localization, and path planning

2) Data Collection and Analysis
-- Gathering, processing, and interpreting data from various sensors and test drives

3) System Integration and Testing
-- Combining software and hardware components, conducting simulations and real-world experiments

4) Vehicle Building and Maintenance
-- Building and maintaining test vehicles for research 

5) Collaborative Research and Documentation
-- Team meetings, literature reviews, and recording research findings

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
REQUIRED:
- Basic experience with any programming language
- Attention to detail 
- Problem-Solving

RECOMMENDED:
- A basic understanding of: 
-- 1. Electric circuits 
-- 2. Computer hardware, electronic devices 
- Laboratory skills (training will be provided)
- Time management

Mentoring Philosophy:
My mentoring philosophy revolves around empowering students to be independent problem solvers in any domain. I treat students as subject-matter experts in their respective projects and serve as a resource alongside them when they need help, to brainstorm ideas, and if there is an issue of safety. My students should expect to look things up, learn new skills, acquire knowledge needed to accomplish their tasks, and have fun while being in a safe and professional environment. I do not expect perfection, just a willingness to learn and recover quickly from any failures. There is always something new to learn and I look forward to learning new things from students.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://raslab.netlify.app/
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
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Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: No
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
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UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes

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Year: 2024
update url: https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?token=9xPUEjetZcBxdVWqskySVICO8wSbZf1EmpSnMXgDmKI