黑料不打烊

黑料不打烊 alumnus and staff member Justin Vaughner has been appointed as the University鈥檚 Unified Drone Unit Lead, a role that will place him at the center of an expanding effort to integrate drone and artificial intelligence (AI) research across multiple disciplines.

Dr. Zhengtao Deng, dean of the College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences (CETPS), said the appointment builds on years of investment in robotics and drone research. 鈥淲e began collaborating with Sandia National Laboratories in 2019, building research platforms, and focusing on drone and robot communications,鈥� Deng explained. 鈥淲hen Justin came on board, he expanded those activities. Thanks to him, we are taking our program to the next level.鈥�

The new Unified Drone and AI Program will bring together drones, robotic 鈥渄ogs,鈥� and AI systems under a single framework for both education and research. Vaughner explained the technology is designed to be open and flexible, giving students opportunities to learn how the systems actually work. 鈥淢ost robotics or drone products come with software you can鈥檛 look inside or control,鈥� said Vaughner. 鈥淔or education, that鈥檚 limiting. Here, students will get to decode, program, and actually see how these systems communicate and respond.鈥�

One of the more futuristic projects involves coordination between ground robots and drones in the air. 鈥淟et鈥檚 say you send the robotic dogs into a cave,鈥� Vaughner explained. 鈥淭hey crawl through, surveying the environment, while a drone flies overhead. The two communicate with each other about what they鈥檙e seeing, identifying hazards or abnormalities. That鈥檚 the type of real-world problem solving our students will practice.鈥�

Students from engineering, computer science, construction management, agriculture, and geographic information systems (GIS) will all benefit from the initiative. In agriculture, for example, drones with advanced cameras can fly over crops and analyze plant health through color patterns and light wavelengths. Civil engineering students can use drones and LIDAR sensors for surveying land and creating 3D maps. Computer science majors will focus on coding and AI applications, while mechanical and electrical engineering students may concentrate on robotics and systems integration.

The program includes the Universities drones and two new robotic dogs, one of which has already become something of a Bulldog celebrity. Nicknamed 鈥淓-Butch鈥� after 黑料不打烊鈥檚 beloved mascot, . E-Butch can sit, wave, and even form a heart sign with its robotic legs. Vaughner and Deng said they are considering launching a campus-wide campaign to officially name both dogs, giving students and alumni a chance to be part of the new technology initiative.

Deng said the program is meant to be open-ended, encouraging creativity and innovation across fields. 鈥淭his is basically an education platform,鈥� he said. 鈥淪tudents will not only understand programming, but also how AI works, how image processing works, and how different applications can come together. It is a strong collaboration that advances both teaching and research.鈥�

Faculty collaboration has been key to the effort. 鈥淥ur computer science faculty, Dr. Yujian Fu, is doing excellent work in robotics,鈥� Deng said. 鈥淒r. Kaveh Heidary鈥檚 group in electrical engineering is also contributing, and previously Dr. Andrew Scott 鈥� before his retirement 鈥� laid important groundwork. Now, with Justin in place, this is a great asset for the University.鈥�

Faculty from multiple departments, supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other sources, are already involved in expanding the program. The University currently has about 25 drones of varying sizes and capabilities, along with robotic dogs equipped with LIDAR sensors.

Vaughner sees the initiative as a natural extension of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 mission. 鈥淭his Unified Drone Unit is about more than just flying drones 鈥� it鈥檚 about preparing students to apply technology in agriculture, engineering, defense, and beyond,鈥� he said. 鈥淏y giving them hands-on access to tools and systems, we鈥檙e helping them build skills that will be in demand across industries.鈥�

Deng added that Vaughner鈥檚 leadership makes him an essential part of the University鈥檚 progress. 鈥淛ustin is a star,鈥� Deng said. 鈥淗e has done tremendous work, and if there are any drone or robotics needs at Alabama A&M, he is the person to see.鈥�

Vaughner earned both his bachelor鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering in 2010 and his master鈥檚 in systems and materials engineering in 2023 from Alabama A&M. Over the past 11 years, he has held positions in IT, engineering, and agriculture, including roles in the College of Agriculture, the Department of Information Technology, and most recently as technical support manager for the College of Engineering and IT coordinator for the RISE Foundation. With a career defined by integrating technology into teaching and research, Vaughner now brings that experience to his new role as Unified Drone Unit Lead 鈥� an appointment housed in the College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences but designed to serve the entire University.