IT program tackles drone technologies
An engineering professor tailors curriculum to meet industry demands for unmanned autonomous vehicles.
Sept. 22, 2020
Unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAVs) are quickly becoming a reality for many businesses. To help meet industry demand and prepare his students, Dale Musser, an associate teaching professor, is working on incorporating autonomous system, machine learning and drone technologies lessons throughout the IT curriculum.
“We aren’t here to improve these technologies,” Musser said. “They already exist and are on a path to improve through existing companies and research groups. Now, we need to know how to apply and solve problems using these technologies in all kinds of work environments. Our goal is to prepare students for a future where the world is filled with a wide range of autonomous systems.”
This semester, Musser is starting to challenge students in his course to come up with programs to control UAVs. Using existing libraries, students are learning how UAV systems recognize objects and complete tasks.
“We know this technology is coming to the workplace,” Musser said. “Our students will be ready.”
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