Autonomous Vehicle Robotics & Control
From digital twins to real-world deployment: resilient autonomy for air and ground systems.
Robotics & Automation Outreach Program (RAOP) at Howard University
The Robotics & Automation Outreach Program (RAOP) at Howard University is an NSF-funded Research Experiences in STEM Settings (RESS) program. It provides immersive training in robotics, autonomous systems, and control for pre-service and in-service STEM teachers using the AVRC Lab's cutting-edge platforms.
Each annual cohort participates in a two-week virtual phase (starting the first Monday after July 4), followed by a one-week in-person hands-on experience in the AVRC Laboratory at Howard University. Stipend, housing, and transportation are fully covered for all selected participants.
Contact the PI: fadel.lashhab@howard.edu
Our Mission
The Autonomous Vehicle, Robotics, and Control (AVRC) Lab at Howard University advances resilient autonomy and distributed control for mixed UAV and UGV teams. By integrating simulation-to-deployment workflows using QLabs Digital Twins and a DoD-funded Autonomous Vehicles Research Studio, the lab accelerates innovation in multi-agent coordination, perception, and assured autonomy for real-world applications.
- DoD-funded Autonomous Vehicles Research Studio (QAVRS) featuring QDrone 2, QBot, high-precision localization, and centralized ground control.
- Comprehensive Quanser ecosystem for autonomy, robotics, and control education: QDrone 2, QBot, QArm, Qube-Servo 3, Aero 2, and HD2 Haptic systems.
- Digital-twin integration (QLabs) enabling rapid prototyping and classroom-to-lab transitions for both research and teaching.
- Undergraduate and graduate engagement through training, senior design projects, and the NSF Noyce RESS Robotics and Automation Outreach Program (RAOP).
Labs & Facilities
Indoor autonomy for aerial and ground platforms with motion capture and high-precision localization.
Manipulation, haptics, and HRI; from QArm to HD2 haptic device.
Modern control education with Qube-Servo 3, Aero 2, and classic servo experiments.