USM Announces Prize Winners of 20th Innovative Design for Computing Competition
Mon, 07/10/2023 - 02:12pm | By: Ivonne Kawas
Students in the School of Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering (CSCE) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) pushed the boundaries of innovation and technological advancement this past semester during the 20th Innovative Design for Computing Competition (IDCC).
Participants in the competition were recently awarded monetary prizes, made possible by funds provided by the state-wide NASA-Mississippi Space Grant Consortium (MSSGC) program.
The first prize winner team developed simulation software for autonomous and remotely piloted aerial drones used to increase agricultural capabilities and productivity. The second team winner designed smart mirrors, which are innovative devices that combine a traditional mirror with multiple advanced technologies to provide an enhanced user experience.
“The IDCC competition provides our students with an outlet to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities,” said Dr. Amer Dawoud, Associate Professor in the School of Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering and Coordinator of the annual IDCC. “From agriculture to smart home technologies, the design concepts presented at this year’s competition demonstrate our students’ talents and serve as a testament to how they can contribute to the advancement and excellence of various fields.”
Team 1, composed of Kyle McLaughlin (from Waynesboro, Miss.), TreVeyon Nixon (from Hattiesburg, Miss.), Tai Pham (from Gulfport, Miss.), Michael Raggio (Hattiesburg, Miss.), Christian Rapetti (Petal, Miss.), William Resavy (Lumberton, Miss.), and Mert Sahin (Cedar Park, Texas) presented the project titled "Unity Autonomous Agricultural Drone Simulation.” The team was able to develop a virtual environment to simulate drone protocols and procedures using the Unity game engine and ROS protocol. The simulation demonstrated the potential benefits of using autonomous and remotely piloted aerial drones, including increasing agricultural productivity by reducing physical labor and streamlining workflows.
Team 2, composed of Labrisha Nicole Mabry (from Hattiesburg, Miss.) and Justin Urban Riley (from Horn Lake, Miss.) presented the project titled “Reflecting the Future: Smart Mirror.” The team was able to design a smart mirror inspired by traditional mirrors, but with an ensemble of advanced technologies that address some of the concerns of existing designs, especially regarding privacy and cost. The team strived to design a cost-efficient smart mirror with an enhanced user experience by focusing on features such as customization, health and wellness improvements, increased accessibility, and energy efficiency.
On its 20th year, the IDCC provides undergraduate students in the CSCE an experiential learning opportunity, as they put into practice what they have learned over the course of the academic year. In teams of two or more, students collaborate and design a computing project that focuses on specific applications, robotics, and other elements of computer science and engineering. As the semester culminates, they present their final project to a panel of judges.
Learn more about USM’s School of Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering.
About MSSGC
MSSGC is a statewide non-profit organization supported by NASA whose membership includes 17 institutions of higher learning across the state. Headquartered at the University of Mississippi, MSSGC is led by Dr. Nathan Murray, director, and Dr. Earnest Stephens, assistant director. MSSGC provides opportunities for Mississippians who are interested in participating in NASA’s aeronautics and space programs by supporting and enhancing STEM fields, research, and outreach programs. For more information, visit the MSSGC website.