I/UCRC FRP: Collaborative Research: Network-enabled Airborne Autonomy

Brigham Young University, Provo UT

Investigators

Abstract

This award will develop foundations for autonomous airborne robotics, ultimately to be based on the cloud. This work has the potential to develop new frameworks and theories for distributed autonomy in networked vehicular networks/systems. The development of novel solutions for robust decision making in vehicular networks in conjunction with airborne autonomous systems has the potential to greatly improve the safety and quality of life of human users. Three research directions will be investigated over the duration of this project: (i) co-optimization of cyber-physical elements, (ii) autonomy tasks and (iii) cloud platform. The fundamental research will focus on the concrete example of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), whereby including all three research thrusts. This project aims to study airborne cloud-based autonomy in networked road surveillance networks, i.e., to perform complex tasks relating to perception, planning, and learning.