Center for Automation Research

One of 16 Centers and Labs in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies

The Center for Automation Research (CfAR) at the University of Maryland is a leader in research and education involving computer vision, computer visualization, perceptual interfaces, and language and media processing.

The four laboratories associated with CfAR are:

  • the COMPUTER VISION LABORATORY, where faculty researchers investigate visual biometrics, multi-perspective vision, visual surveillance, image and video database systems, shape representation and object recognition, and more;
  • the GRAPHICS AND VISUAL INFORMATICS LABORATORY, where experts explore protein folding and rational drug design, virtual and augmented reality, visual exploration of big data, and more;
  • the LANGUAGE AND MEDIA PROCESSING LABORATORY, where researchers are developing the latest tools and techniques to better access large heterogeneous databases of multimedia information objects;
  • and the PERCEPTUAL INTERFACES AND REALITY LABORATORY, where experts explore audio and computational acoustics and develop perceptual user interfaces for computers and other devices based on voice, sounds, gestures and touch.