Guanpeng Li, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, was awarded a $310,077 grant from the National Science Foundation to improve the safety of self-driving cars.
The goal of Li’s study, “A MELIOREM: Integrated Evaluation Cyberinfrastructure towards Safe and Dependable Autonomous Driving Systems,” is to evaluate and improve the safety of autonomous vehicle systems by identifying any vulnerabilities in software during complex traffic scenarios.
The project aims to optimize test coverage and collision analysis to ensure AV systems are dependable and safe, Li said.
“I was thrilled and honored to receive this NSF grant,” Li said. “It validates the critical importance of addressing safety and dependability in autonomous vehicle systems and provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to this field in a meaningful way.”
Li has been working on this research for several years now but this new phase, MELIOREM, has been in the works for two years.
“This award represents the culmination of sustained efforts in autonomous systems research,” Li added.
Li has been a faculty member in CLAS since 2020, and in this time, has been actively involved in researching, teaching and mentoring students in computer science. The study aligns closely to Li’s classes. He combines research with real world experiences and applications to promote student success.
The research project has several graduate students involved, Li added.
“It provides them with valuable research experience and the opportunity to work on state-of-the-art technologies in autonomous driving and safety-critical systems,” Li said.
While the research will be discovering new ways to ensure the safety of automated vehicles, the study will also bridge a gap between academia and industry.
“This project not only addresses technical challenges,” Li said. “But also inspires the next generation of engineers and researchers by fostering a deeper understanding of safety and dependability in complex systems.”