CENTER FOR AI RESEARCH (CAIR)

Physical AI. Interactive AI. AIoT.

The Center for AI Research (CAIR) is the artificial intelligence research hub of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The Catholic University of America.

CAIR brings together three collaborating laboratories: the Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Lab (MAIL), General Research of End-to-End Edge-Intelligent Networks and Systems (GREENS), and the Signal and Imaging Processing Laboratory (SIP). Together, they contribute expertise in multimodal AI, AIoT and intelligent networks, and signal and image processing.

From sensors and edge devices to robots, autonomous platforms, and large language models, CAIR advances AI for the physical, interactive, and connected world.

Located in Washington, D.C., near major federal research agencies and national innovation partners, CAIR is positioned to support mission-driven AI research with real-world impact.

Leadership

CAIR is led by Professor Hanseok Ko, Professor, Newton-Bennett Endowed Chair of Engineering, Dept of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing, Catholic University of America, in collaboration with Professor Minhee Jun. Assistant Professor, Dept of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing, Catholic University of America.  

Three Pillars of CAIR

Physical AI

AI that perceives, decides, and acts in the physical world.

CAIR develops intelligent systems for robotics, autonomous platforms, vehicles, drones, sensing systems, and embodied agents by integrating computer vision, multimodal sensor fusion, signal and image processing, control, and policy learning.

Interactive AI

AI that reasons, communicates, and collaborates.

CAIR advances intelligent systems that engage with people and other AI agents through natural multimodal exchange, including agentic large language models, dialogue management, multimodal grounding, retrieval-augmented generation, and memory-enhanced reasoning.

AIoT

AI embedded across the networked devices that surround us.

CAIR develops edge-deployable models, intelligent networks, smart sensing systems, and secure data exchange methods that bring artificial intelligence into connected devices, infrastructure, and real-world environments.

Core Capabilities

Across its laboratories, CAIR develops intelligent systems that combine:

• Computer vision

• Signal and acoustic processing

• Multimodal AI

• Sensor fusion

• Edge intelligence

• Robotics and autonomous systems

• Private and domain-specific AI models

Our goal is to move AI from research concepts into deployable systems with real-world impact.

Our Vision

CAIR is shaping the future of AI systems that can sense the world, reason across information, collaborate with humans, and act responsibly in complex environments.

Through research, collaboration, and external partnerships, we aim to advance AI for healthcare, infrastructure, education, manufacturing, transportation, defense, and national security.

Student Research Opportunities 

CAIR welcomes motivated graduate and undergraduate students who want to help build the next generation of intelligent systems. Researchers at CAIR work alongside faculty and multidisciplinary teams on projects spanning physical AI, interactive AI, AIoT, robotics, autonomous systems, computer vision, multimodal learning, signal processing, edge intelligence, and large language models. Students gain hands-on research experience, contribute to technologies designed for real-world impact, and prepare for advanced study and careers in academia, industry, and government. Whether you are an experienced researcher or are just beginning to explore artificial intelligence, we invite you to learn more about available opportunities and join the CAIR research community.  Inquiry Form

Partnership and Collaboration

Building the future of AI requires collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and communities. CAIR welcomes partnerships with academic researchers, industry leaders, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders who are working to advance intelligent systems for real-world impact.

Through external partnerships, sponsored research, and student-led innovation, CAIR supports the development of AI technologies for physical, interactive, and connected environments. CAIR seeks research funding from national agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, and National Institutes of Health, as well as from industry partners in the automotive, electronics, and healthcare sectors. 

To explore collaboration opportunities with CAIR, please contact us through the form provided, Contact Form