Researchers are working hard to develop unmanned aircraft and ensure they operate safely. NASA has recently awarded a $1 million grant through its University Leadership Initiative (ULI) to the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth to address safety in autonomous aviation. This grant also signals a significant push towards the realization of safe and reliable autonomous aviation in the future.
As part of a larger $6.7 million collaborative initiative, UTA joins a group of leading experts from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (lead institution), Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Southern California, Collins Aerospace and Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois to contribute to the development of adaptive safety assurance architectures for unmanned aerial vehicles through a range of extensive simulations and experimental testing.
According to Eileen Clements, interim executive director of UTARI, the research team has adopted cutting-edge technologies to solve real-world engineering projects.
This project of Nicolas Gans, UTARI’s principal research scientist and associate professor of computer science and engineering, and his colleague, Yijing Xie, an electrical engineering assistant professor at UTA, underscores the quality and potential impact of their research.
It aims to make future advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles smarter and safer with the capacity to navigate unforeseen circumstances and emergencies.
In addition, the project also focuses on self-learning safety systems and optimized flight path management to bridge existing knowledge gaps and facilitate the seamless integration of advanced air mobility into the National Airspace System, which is the network of airspace, airports, and air traffic services that support air travel in the U.S.
A self-learning safety system has been developed to make these vehicles reliably managed and controlled. To achieve that, this system will establish safety guidelines and optimize flight paths to maintain safe operations. Additionally, it will also monitor the performance of these intelligent components to ensure smooth operations.
This investment underscores the importance of proactive safety measures in unlocking the potential of autonomous aviation and ensuring its safe adoption in the years to come. By addressing these challenges, the team aims to enhance the safety and reliability of AAM vehicles, ensuring their seamless integration into the National Airspace System by 2035.
Image & article source by: University of Texas at Arlington
