The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Banatao Institute create information technology solutions for society’s most pressing challenges.
CITRIS and the Banatao Institute leverage the research strengths of the University of California campuses at Berkeley, Davis, Merced, and Santa Cruz, and operate within the greater ecosystem of the University and the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley. We strengthen bridges between world-class laboratory research, state, and national policymakers, and companies and startups creating new applications and reshaping entire industries. CITRIS and the Banatao Institute facilitate interdisciplinary work among hundreds of University of California faculty members, students, corporate partners, and international institutions. Together with these public and private partners, we are shaping the future of technology in ways that cross traditional boundaries.
CITRIS at UC Merced
As the first American research university of the 21st century, UC Merced serves as a major base of advanced research, a model of sustainable design and construction, and an economic growth engine for the San Joaquin Valley. Home to the UC Center of Excellence on Unmanned Aircraft System Safety, UC Merced is a leader in UAV/UAS research. The CITRIS Aviation program at UC Merced specializes in gathering scientific data using UAVs, with the goal of developing practical solutions in the fields of agriculture and landscape ecology, as well as promoting the use and understanding of aerial data collection in the community. The program conducts mapping flights for various university research projects and builds upon campus facilities and resources by offering research partnerships to industry and providing UAS instruction to the campus, partners, and the public.
