How drones can increase the safety of the population in difficult conditions.
A study by the University of Oregon (OSU) has shown that more than 100 autonomous ground and air robots can be controlled by one person without excessive load on it. The results represent a significant step towards the efficient and cost-effective use of robot swarms in everything from wildfire control and parcel delivery to urban emergency response.
Oregon State University, which also participated in the study, noted that although delivery drones are not yet widely available in the United States, companies have already started using them actively in other countries. Scientists note that it makes sense to scale up the use of delivery drones, but this will require one person to be responsible for a very large number of drones. The work of specialists is the first step to obtaining additional data that could facilitate the implementation of such a system.
Rovers and drones involved in the operation
The study, published in the journal Field Robotics, was part of the OFFSET (Offensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics) program. As part of the four – year project, the researchers used up to 250 autonomous vehicles-multi-rotor aerial drones and ground-based rovers capable of collecting information in urban environments where satellite communications are difficult due to buildings. The information collected can ensure the safety of US military personnel and civilians.
Swarms of drones on the map
Employees of Smart Information Flow Technologies have developed a virtual I3 interface that allows the commander to manage the swarm. The commanders did not operate each vehicle manually, as when deploying so many vehicles, one person will not be able to cope. The swarm commander can choose a task to complete and make small adjustments to it.
Testing took place at several military training facilities. During a field exercise with more than 100 vehicles, the level of load on commanders was assessed using physiological sensors. Despite frequently exceeding the overload threshold, the commanders successfully completed their missions, even in difficult weather conditions. The research opens the way to new opportunities for using robot swarms in various fields, ensuring the safety and efficiency of performing tasks.
A study by the University of Oregon (OSU) has shown that more than 100 autonomous ground and air robots can be controlled by one person without excessive load on it. The results represent a significant step towards the efficient and cost-effective use of robot swarms in everything from wildfire control and parcel delivery to urban emergency response.
Oregon State University, which also participated in the study, noted that although delivery drones are not yet widely available in the United States, companies have already started using them actively in other countries. Scientists note that it makes sense to scale up the use of delivery drones, but this will require one person to be responsible for a very large number of drones. The work of specialists is the first step to obtaining additional data that could facilitate the implementation of such a system.
Rovers and drones involved in the operation
The study, published in the journal Field Robotics, was part of the OFFSET (Offensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics) program. As part of the four – year project, the researchers used up to 250 autonomous vehicles-multi-rotor aerial drones and ground-based rovers capable of collecting information in urban environments where satellite communications are difficult due to buildings. The information collected can ensure the safety of US military personnel and civilians.
Swarms of drones on the map
Employees of Smart Information Flow Technologies have developed a virtual I3 interface that allows the commander to manage the swarm. The commanders did not operate each vehicle manually, as when deploying so many vehicles, one person will not be able to cope. The swarm commander can choose a task to complete and make small adjustments to it.
Testing took place at several military training facilities. During a field exercise with more than 100 vehicles, the level of load on commanders was assessed using physiological sensors. Despite frequently exceeding the overload threshold, the commanders successfully completed their missions, even in difficult weather conditions. The research opens the way to new opportunities for using robot swarms in various fields, ensuring the safety and efficiency of performing tasks.
