Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Optimization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Model Parameters Using Metaheuristics Search Algorithms

The Department of Defense (DoD) developed a roadmap to articulate a vision and strategy for the continued development, production, test, training, operation, and sustainability of unmanned systems technology across the Department of Defense (DoD). UAVs have gained significant attention in both research and commercialization. We are currently working on modeling the dynamics of a Quadcopter to build a model based on control. Quadcopters have attracted many researchers because they can substitute humans in completing dangerous tasks. The quadcopter is a nonlinear dynamical system with unstable modes of operation. Traditional control theory cannot effectively handle this problem. We are making progress on developing methods for the control and navigation of Quadcopter using metaheuristic search algorithms. I was a Co-PI for a funded grant from the National Science Foundation, "REU Site: Applied Computing Research in Unmanned Aerial Systems." This award provided funding for a three-year Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to offer ten students a ten-week summer research experience in UAS technology per year. This unique undergraduate research experience allows undergraduate students to access a wide range of applications in UAS technology such as coastal management, coastal ecology, precision agriculture, and security of UAS technology. Our recent results were published in the International Journal of Engineering & Technology in 2020 [1]. Our research was extended in the Special Issue Advances in Aerial, Space, and Underwater Robotics, Applied Science Journal in 2021 [2]. Dr. Sheta also graduated master student in the promising area of research with a publication in the Proceedings of the 2019 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Control in December 2019 [3].