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Secretary Buttigeg makes one of his final DOT stops at CMU's Safety 21

Jan 14, 2025

1 min

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visited Carnegie Mellon University in one of his final stops as Transportation Secretary.

Raj Rajkumar, director of Safety21 and George Westinghouse Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, with Ph.D. candidates Nishad Sahu and Gregory Su, demonstrated research on the safe navigation of autonomous driving systems in designated work zones, leveraging high-definition mapping, computer perception and vehicle connectivity.

“The sophistication of the safety work that’s going on goes well beyond any commercially available automated or advanced driver assistance system is really inspiring,” Buttigieg said. “We’ve got to make sure it develops the right way, we’ve got to be cautious about how it’s deployed, but you can tell a lot of thought and, of course, a lot of incredibly sophisticated research is going into that.”

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Raj Rajkumar

Professor

Raj Rajkumar researches ways to safely bring your vehicle to life with information technology.

Wired/Wireless NetworkingCyber-Physical Systems Autonomous DrivingEmbedded and Real-Time Systems

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Jun 15, 2026

2 min

Pause for Water. Stay for the Ads. FIFA's $500 Million Timeout

FIFA's decision to introduce mandatory hydration breaks in every match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is drawing attention far beyond player welfare circles. The new rule requires a three-minute stoppage in each half of all 104 tournament matches, creating more than 10 hours of additional broadcast inventory that did not exist in previous World Cups. Analysts estimate the added commercial value could approach $500 million, making the breaks one of the most significant business stories of the tournament. While FIFA has emphasized player health and safety amid concerns about summer temperatures across North America, broadcasters and advertisers have quickly recognized the value of guaranteed in-game breaks. Networks are now able to sell premium advertising inventory during some of the most highly watched sporting events on the planet, creating opportunities that resemble the commercial structure of American sports broadcasts. Tim Derdenger is an Associate Professor of Marketing and Strategy at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business. An expert in sports markets, his research is centered around celebrity endorsements and how to optimize their impact on product sales. View his profile The move has generated debate among fans and observers, with some questioning whether commercial considerations played a role in expanding hydration breaks to every match regardless of venue or weather conditions. Critics argue the stoppages alter the traditional flow of soccer, while supporters point to growing concerns about extreme heat and player safety. For brands, however, the development represents a rare opportunity. Unlike traditional halftime advertising, hydration breaks occur while viewers remain actively engaged in the match, creating premium moments for sponsors seeking global reach and attention. The breaks also open new possibilities for branded content, integrated sponsorship activations, and enhanced fan engagement strategies during live play. Looking to know more? We can help. Tim Derdenger is an expert in sports marketing, sponsorship strategy, media rights, and the business of major sporting events. He can discuss: • How hydration breaks create new revenue opportunities for broadcasters and sponsors • The growing commercialization of global sports properties • Whether fans will accept more advertising during live sporting events • How brands can maximize engagement during high-profile World Cup broadcasts • What this development signals about the future of sports media rights and sponsorship Looking for expert insight on the business side of the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Connect with Tim Derdenger today to discuss how FIFA's hydration breaks could reshape sports marketing, sponsorship activation, and broadcast economics for years to come.

Jul 11, 2025

1 min

Power Shift: How CMU Is Leading America’s Energy Evolution

Carnegie Mellon University, long known for its prowess in computer science and engineering, is now emerging as a key innovator within America’s energy landscape. As AI models grow more powerful, so too does their appetite for energy, straining an aging and outdated grid and prompting urgent questions about infrastructure, security and access. From reimagining AI data centers to modernizing and securing the electric grid, CMU researchers are working on practical solutions to pressing challenges in how the U.S. produces, moves and secures energy. Learn what CMU experts have to say about their Work That Matters.

Jul 11, 2025

1 min

CMU Experts at the Intersection of Energy and Innovation

Carnegie Mellon University experts are developing practical solutions for a fast-changing energy system. Their work modernizes infrastructure, accelerates innovation and harnesses AI for a more efficient and resilient future at a moment when the stakes for national competitiveness and public well-being have never been higher. Learn what CMU experts have to say about their Work That Matters.