UROP Project
Empowering Individuals to Source and Make from Secondhand Materials via Visual-Language Models
Visual-language models, AI-assisted making, Object recognition, Upcycling, Human-AI collaboration, Sustainable design
Research Mentor: Te-Yen Wu,
Department, College, Affiliation: Computer Science, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: teyen.wu@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Computer Science, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: teyen.wu@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Computer Science, Civil Engineering
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Computer Science, Civil Engineering
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
This project explores how AI can help people creatively reuse secondhand materials. Using visual-language models, we aim to build a system that can identify discarded materials, suggest ways to repurpose them, and guide users step by step to make functional or creative objects.As an undergraduate researcher, you’ll help develop AI tools, test material and defect recognition, and explore how people interact with AI-guided making. This is a hands-on opportunity to combine AI, design, and sustainability, while learning how technology can support creative problem-solving with everyday materials.
Research Tasks: 1. Collect and document secondhand materials (photos, dimensions, conditions).
2. Test and evaluate visual-language models for material recognition.
3. Generate and refine AI-guided instructions for making projects.
4. Conduct user studies to observe how people interact with AI-guided making tools.
5. Assist in designing simple prototypes using repurposed materials.
6. Analyze data and summarize results in reports or presentations.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: 1. Basic programming (Python preferred)
2. Familiarity with AI/ML concepts (especially computer vision or NLP)
3. Hands-on fabrication or DIY skills
4. Creativity and problem-solving for repurposing materials
5. Communication and teamwork for collaborative research