Project Grant 2318546

This $600,000 Project Grant awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Computing and Communication Foundations will fund the development of an innovative aerial imaging system that incorporates state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) for real-time data processing and analysis. The project, titled "CISE-MSI:DP:REAL-TIME AERIAL IMAGING WITH EDGE AI," is a collaboration between students and faculty at Norfolk State University (NSU), a minority-serving institution and historically black college/university. The goal is to design, develop, and test a fully functional aerial imaging system capable of autonomous and remote-controlled navigation, imagery, and autopilot. By integrating edge AI algorithms and software modules, the team aims to achieve precise data processing and enhanced decision-making capabilities with applications in agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster response, and more. The project also seeks to enhance diversity and representation in the engineering field by providing opportunities for underrepresented minority communities and women. This award falls under the NSF's Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CFDA 47.070) program, which supports investigator-initiated research and education in computing, communications, and information science and engineering.