EECE

University of Memphis Student Team Selected for Prestigious SICK LiDAR Challenge

The University of Memphis, Herff College of Engineering and the Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research (CAESER) are proud to announce that a student team in the Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) program has secured a coveted spot in the highly competitive SICK LiDAR Challenge, hosted annually by industry leader SICK. This year, the Memphis team is one of only 15 university groups selected internationally to showcase their innovative application of LiDAR sensor technology.

The team’s project, StreamEye, leverages SICK’s advanced picoscan LiDAR sensor to develop a multi-UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) capable of providing high resolution, real time visual stream assessment (VSA). This cutting-edge system aims to enhance the monitoring and management of critical water resources by capturing detailed stream data, fusing it with additional sensor inputs, and providing researchers with valuable insights. The project also addresses pressing environmental concerns, such as detecting stream degradation and illegal dumping, by improving the ability to survey and assess waterways. Navigation will also be a key aspect of this MUAS system, as streams are rarely ideal environments for flying UAS.

A standout feature of StreamEye is its innovative use of 2D LiDAR technology to generate 3D point cloud data, enabling superior spatial awareness and navigation in challenging stream environments. This advancement is expected to benefit stream surveying, flood hazard prediction, and environmental management operations.

The University of Memphis team is led by CAESER graduate students Parisa Daj and Peter Le, under the supervision of Dr. Eddie Jacobs, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, in the Remote Sensing Laboratory. The team is further supported by undergraduate participants Jumana Tuffaha, Kevin Friedl, Adam Bowling, and Lucas Polani, all members of the VIP program. VIP is a program within the Herff College of Engineering that allows students to work on interdisciplinary research in faculty labs while earning technical elective credit.

SICK provides the picoScan LiDAR, valued at $5,227, to participating teams at no cost. Teams will engage with SICK throughout the year, with final project submissions due in early April. Winners will be announced on April 13, 2026, with prizes of $10,000, $5,000, and $3,000 awarded to the top three teams.