Bevly Selected for Navy's Young Investigator Program

Office of Naval Research logoDavid Bevly, assistant professor of  mechanical engineering, has been selected to receive a grant from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Young Investigator Program. 

David Bevly
David Bevly

"It's an honor to receive this recognition," Bevly said. "This project is similar to other tasks our lab has worked on, but instead of vehicles, now our focus is a canine."

His proposal, "Autonomous Navigation and Control of a K-9," details a program that would allow canines to be used for security assistance without the immediate presence of a handler. The project will use GPS sensors and a micro controller to automatically guide trained dogs to specific locations.

"The technology is much like that used with unmanned ground vehicles, but the modeling of the system and the design of a controller for a dog will be the focus of the research," explained Bevly. "We are working with researchers in the veterinary school as we move through this project."

The ONR Young Investigator Program is awarded to young faculty less than five years out of doctoral studies who show exceptional promise for doing creative research. The objectives of this program are to attract outstanding faculty members to the naval research program, support innovative research and encourage teaching and research careers.

"This award is a testament to the contributions and achievements of all the members of our research team," Bevly said. "The students assisting with this project are some of the brightest engineers anywhere, and everyone who tours our lab comments on the ability and talent this group has."

Learn more about Bevly.