CAAS Lab (Cyber-physical, Autonomous, and Advanced Systems Lab)

Dr. Mehrdad Zadeh

The CAAS Lab will be dedicated to advancing the research and education of next-generation mobility systems and human-machine interaction. The lab will focus on bridging the gap between virtual and physical environments by leveraging technologies in autonomous driving and Extended Reality (XR), which includes mixed, augmented and virtual reality (MR/AR/VR). The goal is to provide students with hands-on, interdisciplinary experience and prepare them for careers in fields such as automotive, aerospace, and defense.

Technical Arenas

  • Advanced Mobility
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Extended Reality (XR), which includes Mixed Reality (MR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR)

 

Contact
Dr. Mehrdad Zadeh
Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering | Director, CAAS Lab
Ph.D., Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo
mzadeh@kettering.edu
(810) 762-9500, Ext. 5914

Dr. Zadeh specializes in cyber-physical systems, cooperative and edge AI, embedded perception, and intelligent mobility, and has led federally funded and industry-sponsored research with NSF, Navistar/TRATON, GM, and USCAR. Dr. Zadeh has held major academic leadership roles, including Moderator of the Faculty Senate, Chair of the Institutional Task Force on Program Realignment and Reinvention, Chair of the University Curriculum Committee, and ABET accreditation, and has directed extensive industry–academic partnership initiatives. His combined expertise in applied research, strategic leadership, and hands-on mentorship continues to advance innovation in autonomous systems and intelligent transportation.

The lab will support student projects, research, and coursework, including the development of new courses in the ECE department. The research will be interdisciplinary, attracting students from electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, and mechanical engineering.

Potential Projects and Research Areas:

  • Autonomous Systems: Environmental perception using deep learning with various sensor inputs, sensor fusion (Lidar, Radar, Camera), and intelligent system deployment on embedded systems. This includes human-vehicle interaction and the development of connected vehicle technologies (C-V2X).
  • Extended Reality: Use XR for applications in autonomous vehicle design, human-in-the-loop simulations, and industrial safety.
  • Competitions: Support for student teams in competitions like the SAE AutoDrive Challenge, providing them with access to industry-standard tools and a variety of sensors for hardware-in-the-loop testing.

The equipment proposed for this lab is based on a profound impact level of a new lab, with an estimated budget similar to other new labs proposed in the document, which are in the range of $500K to $600K.

Computing & Software:

  • High-performance desktop computers with powerful GPUs for training large AI models and running simulations.
  • IoT edge computing development systems and NVIDIA Jetson series for deploying AI on embedded systems.
  • Software licenses for development platforms and specialized AI toolchains.

Autonomous Mobility Testbenches:

  • Sensor Suites: Lidar (solid-state and multi-channel), automotive Radar, cameras, GPS/GNSS, and IMU.
  • Modular test benches for hardware-in-the-loop simulations.
  • C-V2X communication units (e.g., Coda Wireless) for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure development.

Extended Reality (XR):

  • XR development platforms including XR-ready workstations, large displays, and high-fidelity headsets with controllers.
  • Motion Capture suits for studying human movement and interaction with virtual environments.
  • A high-fidelity driving simulator for a realistic experience of human-vehicle interaction and testing advanced driver-assistance systems.

  • A dedicated indoor space with a card-access system to accommodate team projects and lab activities.
  • Specialized power requirements to support high-performance computers and equipment.
  • A secure storage area for equipment and prototypes.
  • Large-screen TV displays for project presentations and collaboration.