A
new partnership
between AutonomouStuff and the recently christened
Center for Autonomy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
is already bearing fruit for the Grainger College of Engineering. Students and researchers are developing an autonomous software stack utilizing an AutonomouStuff Polaris GEM Automated Research Development Platform on long-term loan as part of the partnership.
Professor Geir Dullerud, director of the new center, recognized the GEM as a
milestone for the school
and a harbinger of further involvement between the university and AutonomouStuff.
“We’re really excited about the center and hoping this is just our first (automated vehicle),” Dullerud said. “We have numerous professors interested in autonomy. … This is an
important addition to our infrastructure
.”
Assistant Professor Katherine Driggs-Campbell of electrical and computer engineering is among the first researchers at the University to work with the GEM after it was delivered earlier in the spring. The initial efforts concentrate on
autonomous software development.
"This summer, we have a few master’s students and undergraduate students working on getting the autonomous stack up and running smoothly," Driggs-Campbell says. "Our goal for the end of the summer is to get a nice
demo of the GEM smoothly navigating campus scenarios
, like following and overtaking a cyclist and effectively navigating crosswalks with pedestrians."
To watch a video of the GEM in action on campus, check out
this link
.
Read the formal announcement of the partnership from the Center for Autonomy at the
Grainger College of Engineering
by clicking
here
.
Head to
this page
to learn more about immediate and long-term plans for the GEM at the center.
