VIPR-GS Research Recognized at GVSETS
VIPR-GS technical paper, “Stuck-Assist: A Large Multimodal Model-Based Stuck Recovery Assist for Driving on Off-Road Deformable Terrains" was recently voted best paper at the 2026 Ground Vechile Systems Engineering & Technology Symposium (GVSETS) in Novi, Michigan.
Congratulations to authors Mayuresh Bhosale, Jordan Whitson, PhD, Ardalan Vahidi, PhD, and Yunyi Jia, PhD on this outstanding recognition of their research.
Revolutionizing Mobility
The VIPR-GS Research Center is a partnership between the Ground Vehicle Systems Center and Clemson University aimed at the forefront of transformational mobility. The center envisions a future in which digital engineering revolutionizes the design, development, and sustainment of multi-domain, complex systems through the seamless integration of advanced modeling, simulation, and AI-driven analytics.
By fostering collaborative, multidisciplinary research and strategic partnerships across academia, industry, and government, VIPR-GS aspires to drive technological innovation, enhance system efficiency, and accelerate digital transformation in key sectors, including Automotive and Multi-Domain Mobility, Advanced Manufacturing, Defense and Ground Systems, Cybersecurity, and Autonomous and Robotic Systems.
As a national leader in digital engineering, VIPR- GS is committed to shaping the future of engineering education, advancing groundbreaking research, and developing a highly skilled workforce to meet the evolving challenges of an increasingly digital world.
Mission and Vision
The mission of the Virtual Prototyping of Ground Systems (VIPR-GS) Research Center is to conduct cutting-edge research and develop innovative tools and methodologies that enable virtual and agile physical prototyping of next-generation multi-domain systems (unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with a focus on advancing human-autonomy integration to incorporate ground vehicles, autonomous robotics, and aerial elements, enhancing operational effectiveness, reduce risk, and enable faster decision-making in dynamic environments.
Through collaboration among government, industry, and academia, VIPR-GS output enhances system performance, adaptability, and resilience by advancing modular design, autonomous technologies, digital engineering, human-machine integration, and secure, energy-efficient solutions. By delivering advanced modeling and simulation capabilities, software tools, and hardware demonstrations, VIPR-GS directly supports GVSC’s research and development mandate.
Driven by Clemson University
VIPR-GS is operated out of Clemson University, one of the nation’s most active research institutions. Located at CU-ICAR, the University’s world-renowned automotive research center in Greenville, SC, VIPR-GS leverages Clemson’s deep research expertise and interdisciplinary culture to deliver breakthrough innovation.
VIPR-GS Research CU-ICAR
Leadership Team
Rob Prucka
Director, VIPR-GS
Kulwicki Endowed Professor
Chair, Department of Automotive Engineering
Clemson University
Pamela Murray-Tuite
Deputy Director, VIPR-GS
Professor of Civil Engineering
Clemson University
Jeff Linden
Managing Director, VIPR-GS
School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering
Clemson University
| Name | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| Yunyi Jia | Off-Road Autonomy Focus Area Director | yunyij@clemson.edu |
| Beshah Ayalew | Propulsion Systems and Smart Energy Focus Area Director | beshah@clemson.edu |
| Greg Mocko | Virtual Prototyping and Digital Engineering Focus Area Director | gmocko@clemson.edu |
| Pamela Murray-Tuite | Associate Director, New Federal Initiatives | pmmurra@clemson.edu |
| John Wagner | Associate Director, Education and Opportunity | jwagner@clemson.edu |
| Ben Lawler | Associate Director, Propulsion Systems Integration | bjlawle@clemson.edu |
| Mert Pesé | Assistant Professor, School of Computing | mpese@clemson.edu |
