CA-AI Students Excel at Maritime Robotics and AI International Symposium

Students and researchers from the Center for Connected Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (CA-AI) within the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University made an impact at the 2025 IEEE Symposium on Maritime Informatics and Robotics, held in Ermoúpolis, on the historic island of Syros, Greece.

This prestigious international gathering brought together leaders, researchers, and innovators at the forefront of maritime autonomy, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Attendees explored groundbreaking developments through plenary and technical sessions, collaborative workshops, and live competitions.

Among the many highlights, CA-AI undergraduate student Eoghan McIvor was invited to present original research during a technical session. His presentation, titled "A Generalizable Entity-Component-System Architecture for Underwater ROV Control," introduced a novel modular software framework designed to enhance the flexibility and scalability of Remotely Operated Vehicle systems in underwater environments.

The symposium also featured the highly anticipated Aegean Ro-Boat Race, a competitive demonstration of autonomous marine robotics. Representing the College of Engineering and Computer Science and CA-AI, Eoghan McIvor and fellow undergraduate Mark Zagha delivered an outstanding performance. Their entry earned first place among student teams in a highly competitive international field.

"Mentoring Eoghan and Mark has been a privilege, and I am incredibly proud of their first-place finish at the Aegean Ro-Boat Race and their impressive research contributions at IEEE MARIS, marking their first international conference publication and presentation. Their success showcases the talent and potential of our students, and demonstrates how the hands-on, interdisciplinary research at CA-AI and the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic equips the next generation to lead at the forefront of autonomy, AI, and marine systems." said George Sklivanitis, Ph.D., Schmidt Research Associate Professor & I-SENSE Fellow, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

"This experience reflects the global reach and real-world impact of the research-driven education our students receive," said Stella Batalama, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. "We are proud to see our students excelling in international competitions and presenting research that advances the field of marine autonomy."

The Center for Connected Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence is a collaborative research hub, combining computer science, ocean engineering, and artificial intelligence expertise to address complex challenges in autonomous systems.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science extends heartfelt thanks to the event organizers, Dimitris Zissis, João Borges de Sousa, Yannis Theodoridis, Elias Xidias, Giannis Spiliopoulos, and Alexandros Troupiotis Kapeliaris, for hosting a remarkable and engaging symposium.

Participation in this international forum reflects the College of Engineering and Computer Science's growing leadership in autonomous systems research and innovation.