Objective
Environmental monitoring requires the assessment of its chemical composition. This process is costly and time consuming. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology can be applied to this problem providing adequate sensor and control systems. We will develop biologically-inspired sensor and control systems for a chemo sensing UAV. The CUAV can identify and track volatile compounds of different chemical composition in outdoor environments. Its olfactory and sensory-motor systems are inspired by the moth. This development continues our research in artificial and biological olfaction, sensory processing and analysis, neuronal models of learning, real-time behavioural control, and robotics. Fleets of CUAVs will be deployed to sense, identify, and map the airborne chemical composition of large scale environments. Their behaviour will be co-ordinated by an automated Ground Control Station (GCS). Environmental monitoring requires the assessment of its chemical composition. This process is costly and time consuming. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology can be applied to this problem providing adequate sensor and control systems. We will develop biologically-inspired sensor and control systems for a chemo sensing UAV. The CUAV can identify and track volatile compounds of different chemical composition in outdoor environments. Its olfactory and sensory-motor systems are inspired by the moth. This development continues our research in artificial and biological olfaction, sensory processing and analysis, neuronal models of learning, real-time behavioural control, and robotics. Fleets of CUAVs will be deployed to sense, identify, and map the airborne chemical composition of large scale environments. Their behaviour will be co-ordinated by an automated Ground Control Station (GCS).
OBJECTIVES
1. Develop a chemo sensing UAV that uses onboard chemical and visual sensors to autonomously navigate outdoors. The CUAV's mission is to identify volatile compounds and locate their sources;
2. Map the chemical composition of the environment using a new class of chemical sensors and processing technologies designed for: (a) measurement of chemical concentration, (b) classification of chemical composition and (c) automatic sensor recalibration;
3. Implement mechanisms and models of adaptive sensory classification, sensory motor integration, and action selection. These technologies are based on our investigation of insect strategies of sensory processing and control and their application to robots;
4. Deploy a fleet of CUAVs to collectively solve the task of mapping a realistic chemosensory environment.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
The work programme encompasses four institutions across Europe each with complementary skills. The University of Leicester has expertise in the area of machine olfaction and is widely experienced in working directly with chemo sensor technology, electronic interfacing of chemo sensors, suitable pattern recognition approaches, as well as theoretical issues relating to neuronal information processing in biological olfactory systems. The Institute of Neuroinformatics (INI) of ETH has specific expertise in the neural basis of learning and behaviour, and is widely experienced in constructing neuromorphic real-world systems, simulation of large scale neuronal models, and constructing and assessing biologically constrained artefacts that demonstrate specific behaviours and learning. The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a leading expert on the neurobiology of olfaction and chemosensory behaviour in moths and is widely experienced in conducting experiments on moths at both the behavioural and neurobiological levels using electrophysiological and optical recording techniques. ALPHA-MOS is a world-leading chemical sensing commercial entity with more than 10 years experience in both developing and marketing practical chemo sensing instrumentation.
This project is split into four workpackages:
WP 1 considers the aspects of the CUAV in relation to sensors and associated receptors within moths;
WP 2 addresses issues related to the first stage of processing in the olfactory pathway of insects - the antennal lobe. This workpackage considers the specific mechanisms of plasticity at the cellular level of the biological system and how this affects the representation (encoding) at the antennal lobe level;
WP 3 considers how deliverables from WP1 and WP2 can be integrated into a UAV alongside a sophisticated model of sequence-based memory as well as the final behavioural comparison between biological and artificial systems;
WP 4 considers the development of the sensor technology required to support the project;
WP 5 is dedicated to project management, evaluation and dissemination.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology entomology
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence pattern recognition
- natural sciences computer and information sciences data science data processing
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
LE1 7RH LEICESTER
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.