Innovative framework for cohesive, independent and reliable drone operations
Drones continue to soar in popularity and innovation, emerging as versatile tools with the potential to revolutionise various industries. However, to fully develop their potential, they must be outfitted with sophisticated sensors and tools to accurately interpret their surroundings and dependable communication capabilities that guarantee secure identification, consistent availability and unbreachable cybersecurity. Drones also require the capability to make intelligent, autonomous decisions in real time for safe operation in manned areas such as urban environments and airports or non-segregated airspace where both manned and unmanned aircraft operate concurrently. This entails the capacity to swiftly adapt to unexpected situations, such as detecting and evading obstacles and synchronising seamlessly with other aircraft.
Reference architecture for drone systems
The EU-funded COMP4DRONES project comes into play by providing a framework of key enabling technologies that should transform the drone industry. COMP4DRONES offered an embedded platform featuring reusable, qualified components, as well as an agile engineering environment to support its development and customisation. “Imagine a future where drones are seamlessly integrated into European airspace, performing tasks ranging from transport to construction, surveillance, inspection and agriculture,” notes project coordinator Mauro Gil Cabeza. “To make this vision a reality, COMP4DRONES developed reference architecture that enables easy integration and customisation of drone systems.” By following a bottom-up approach, requirements and key enabling technologies for unmanned aerial vehicles were defined, ensuring drones can safely navigate complex environments without human intervention. In line with the ontology-oriented design, researchers defined a method to support the instantiation of the reference architecture.
Drones as catalysts for industry evolution
“COMP4DRONES initiated a repository of 74 essential components that facilitate safe drone operation in real environments. These components were evaluated through nine demonstrations across Europe, showcasing their effectiveness in various industrial scenarios,” remarks Gil Cabeza. As a result, COMP4DRONES is transforming industries that once relied on traditional methods. In the transport domain, COMP4DRONES has validated the deployment of drones as monitoring devices of the road traffic conditions and the detection and early response to incidents that may take place on roads. An integrated solution has been developed that automates all the permissions and requirements (airspace reservation, pilot and drone allocation) to perform a mission that supervises, for example, a road accident, that allows sharing high-definition video in real time with the infrastructure operator. Drones could also revolutionise logistics by offering a faster alternative to traditional transport methods and supporting simultaneous delivery at several locations. For example, COMP4DRONES demonstrated the delivery of a mix of unmanned ground and air vehicles providing medical supplies to remote areas, addressing challenges such as fleet coordination and clearance on take-off, landing and dropping.
Shaping the future of drones in European airspace
To ensure its longevity, COMP4DRONES established the European Drone Technology Network (RODENT), a sustainable and collaborative ecosystem. “The primary objective of RODENT is to promote, encourage and assist in the coordinated development and deployment of drone technology and services in Europe,” notes Gil Cabeza. “The network acts as a shared virtual laboratory, providing access to knowledge, expertise and attracting talent from across the continent.” This collaborative effort has far-reaching goals for the European economy and the technology sector. COMP4DRONES has built an open, sustainable ecosystem around public, royalty-free and goal-driven software platform standards. This innovative ecosystem eases the development of new drone functionalities across multiple applications, presenting an opportunity for European players to drive technology forward and maintain Europe’s position as a reference player in the field.
Keywords
COMP4DRONES, drones, autonomous, safe, framework, cybersecurity, agriculture, logistics
