Research at 海角吃瓜网 is probing how to program a group of drones to respond to a single command post. For example, five drones under the direction of one pilot could fly a rigid grid pattern or fly in concentric rings around a target area. The end goal is to mount them with sensitive cameras that carry night vision capabilities or pick up infrared signatures, as well as a variety of sensors for local environment awareness.
The implications are huge.
鈥淭here are just so many applications that, quite frankly, it鈥檚 hard to settle on just one,鈥� says Ron Whiting, of Riverdale, Md., who is developing the drone program as his graduate project.
The concept behind the research is called a 鈥渕esh network.鈥� Picture it like a spider web relaying information back and forth within it, with a ground station radiating out commands to the drones. When complete, the drones will communicate with each other, passing on instructions to the next drone that鈥檚 just a little farther away. This exponential method of communication holds almost limitless potential.
Current applications under consideration include search and rescue missions, with eyes in the sky providing a perspective unavailable to people on the ground. A network of drones will also provide valuable context and information after a natural disaster. In the short term, Ron has teamed up with local farmers to fly the drones over their orchards and crops. Photos taken by the drones provide a picture of which areas are not performing well and need additional watering or pesticides.
鈥淚 try not to get too excited when I start thinking of applications, but it鈥檚 hard not to,鈥� says Ron, who is earning a Master of Science in Engineering.
A big part behind Ron鈥檚 success is his advisor, Dr. Dean Bushey, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with years of experience with unmanned aircraft and autonomous vehicles. Gaining access to experienced minds like Dr. Bushey鈥檚 and the chance to work on a project with real-world impact have both validated his decision to earn a degree from 海角吃瓜网.
鈥淓verybody is on your side and that鈥檚 a great part about this school,鈥� he says.
