Research Focus: Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT represents a key milestone in the evolution of connectivity, where everyday objects, devices, systems, and environments are embedded with sensors and controllers that communicate wirelessly via the Internet or local networks. The number of IoT products and services continues to grow rapidly, with estimates now exceeding 75 billion connected devices worldwide by 2025.
Why IoT?
IOT is an evolving field of connectivity with the network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings and other things, embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that enable these objects to communicate wirelessly through the Internet. Advances in sensing, cloud computing, and wireless communications has created an emerging IoT ecosystem. It has enabled the proliferation of small inexpensive devices and the ability to connect and manipulate sensor/actuator systems to create instrumented smart spaces, smart civil infrastructures and associated applications for the public. Examples of such smart spaces include personal spaces such as homes, offices, senior facilities, critical infrastructures such as airports, shipping and port facilities, and organizations such as schools and hospitals. Applications range from surveillance and security to personal safety and situational awareness in emergency response scenarios. While IoT devices are often deployed for a dedicated purpose, such as monitoring critical infrastructures, their data may be repurposed and exploited for new applications if access to this information is made available through open application program interfaces (APIs).
Exciting IoT Research Areas
Why IoT-SITY REU?
IoT-SITY REU Site will annually host 9-10 students from across the nation to conduct research during the summer with faculty mentors on topics related to IoT for Smart Communities. Participants will investigate exciting applications and explore ways in which we can reliably and safely apply and deploy IoT systems to develop the Smart and Connected Communities of the future.
“Participating in the REU site at UCI was an eye-opening experience for me as an undergraduate student. The collaborative and enriching environment fostered by the program allowed me to meet and work with a diverse cohort of students from across the nation. This experience not only broadened my perspective, but also provided me a glimpse into how cutting-edge research in computer science and engineering is conducted.” – Sharika Hegde, 2017 REU Program Participant, Civil Engineering student at Carnegie Mellon University
Program Details
IoT-SITY REU focuses on the following domains:
Research Domains
- Computer Architecture and Design
- Cyber-physical Systems
- Embedded Systems
- Human Computer Interaction
- Transportation Systems
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Hydrologic System Modeling
- Multimedia Computing Networks and Distributed Systems
- Intelligent Structure
Program Benefits
- 8-weeks of research experience
- Hands-on research guided by faculty mentors and graduate students
- Guest speakers, lab tours, and field trips
Eligibility
- Must be a United States citizen, national, or permanent resident to apply. International students are NOT eligible for this program.
- Sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors enrolled in 2- and 4-year colleges and universities in the United States
- Computing and Engineering majors
- 3.0-grade point average or higher
- No prior research experience required
- Must be 18 years or older by the start of the program
Students who are first in their family to go to college, come from low-income backgrounds, are from underserved communities, and/or are women and/or veterans are encouraged to apply.