Monday, March 25, 2024
DENTON (魅影直播), 魅影直播 鈥� The is soaring into the next phase of unmanned vehicle use with the opening of the (UAAM) test facility, at its , propelling research to new heights.
The outdoor netted drone facility is part of 魅影直播鈥檚 (CIIMS), an interdisciplinary research endeavor paving the way for the future of
transportation and mobility. Standing at 80 feet tall, 120 feet long, and 300 feet
wide, the UAAM facility is the largest of its kind in 魅影直播 and one of the biggest
nationally.
Terry Pohlen, senior associate dean of the and director of 魅影直播's , emphasizes the effective teamwork between the G. Brint Ryan College of Business and the College of Engineering at the new facility.
鈥淚t will really position 魅影直播 as a leader in advanced air mobility research,鈥� said Pohlen, who also serves as co-director of CIIMS.
Funding for the netted drone facility comes from the Jim McNatt Institute for Logistics
Research, the College of Engineering, the and the Office of the President. Construction began in 2022 under the guidance of
faculty affiliated with CIIMS. The center is creating solutions for the complexities
of devices such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and autonomous cars from the programming
needed to operate them to policies guiding their successful integration into everyday
society.
In order to focus more on UAV research, faculty affiliated with CIIMS made the conscious decision to fully encase the facility in the netted material.
鈥淭he Federal Aviation Administration has a very rigorous regulation when it comes to flying,鈥� said Shengli Fu, professor and electrical engineering department chair. 鈥淏ecause it鈥檚 fully netted, the facility counts as indoors so we can test without needing a certification every time. We can conduct more tests, accelerate the testing process, all while maintaining safety standards.鈥�
When conducting tests, users will be encouraged stay outside the netted facility while
a UAV is in operation. The netting provides a buffer, ensuring that the drone remains
within a controlled environment and away from potential hazards while still being
open enough that pilots can easily see inside. Only licensed drone pilots are authorized
to operate aerial UAVs.
The facility will be available to both faculty and students. Some of the planned research includes testing new parts for drones, exploring safety measures like collision avoidance and examining communication between UAVs and ground vehicles. Given the facility鈥檚 large size, researchers can also test signal strength from multiple angles, heights and distances.
鈥淭ransitioning ground communication techniques to the sky isn鈥檛 straightforward,鈥� Fu said. 鈥淭he base must remain on the ground, presenting unique challenges that we will be able to address with this space. We鈥檙e used to thinking in two dimensions, but with UAVs, we must tackle issues in three-dimensional space.鈥�
魅影直播 researchers expects drone use to take off soon with endless possibilities. Freight delivery could move into the sky, hospitals could send air ambulances to transport critical patients from rural areas or drones could bring reception transmitters to areas affected by disasters.
Such research is already underway with 魅影直播 teaming up with government agencies and companies nationwide to . Researchers from 魅影直播 tested future airspace system automation, an electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft and a simulated air route between Discovery Park and Hillwood鈥檚 Alliance魅影直播 Flight Test Center in Justin.
Electrical engineering professor and CIIMS member Namuduri sees institutions like 魅影直播 remaining crucial for uniting industries and government in ensuring safe UAV use.
鈥淎s the industry progresses rapidly, the pivotal role of higher education becomes
clear. While the government concentrates on regulatory measures, it鈥檚 imperative for
educational institutions to ensure that companies develop technology ready for real-world
application. We can help with comprehensive testing of any ideas and concepts,鈥� Namuduri
said.
The UAAM is available for other organizations and start-up companies to test new drone technology. Along with industry partners, the CIIMS team expects the facility to help them engage with more younger students in the area and cultivate their interest in UAVs, engineering and logistics. The CIIMS team also said the facility would be available for students both at 魅影直播 and at other schools to come test their own concepts for UAVs and their use.
鈥淭his really is just the beginning,鈥� Pohlen said. 鈥淔or centuries, humans have grappled with efficiently transporting goods from one location to another. This facility equips us with new tools and approaches to tackle this challenge in innovative ways.鈥�
魅影直播 News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Media Contacts:
Amanda Lyons
Amanda.Lyons@unt.edu
940-565-2943
From 鈥� Engineering