Using flight simulation environments with agent-controlled UAVs

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2008

Authors

Ricardo Alexandre Veiga Gimenes (Author) FEUP; Daniel Castro Silva (Author) FEUP; Luís Paulo Gonçalves dos Reis (Author) FEUP; Eugénio da Costa Oliveira (Author) FEUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: Robótica 2008

Pages: 21-26

Autonomous Robot Systems and Competitions: Proceedings of the 8th Conference

Aveiro, Portugal, 2 de Abril de 2008

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Information engineering

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Simulation engineering

Other information

Abstract (EN): Developed countries have made significant efforts to integrate UAV operations in controlled aerial space due to a rising interest of using UAVs for civilian and military purposes. This paper focuses on looking for reliable solutions and a way to validate an autonomous multiagent control system using Flight Simulators. This study has two main lines, the first being the use of multiagent systems in UAVs (or other robotic platforms), aiming at a fully autonomous control. The second is a survey about the variety of simulation systems dedicated to aerodynamics and aircrafts, comparing them and their feasibility to validate the multiagent control system. A comparative study of existing simulation environments is presented, both commercial simulation game engines and research simulators. One critical factor is hazard situations, like emergency landing or equipment failure, which should be predicted in an automated system. Most flight simulators are not realistic enough to validate a multiagent algorithm in hazard situations. At the same time, it is impossible to predict every type of failure in real word. The boundaries of simulation must be very well enclosured in order to present results using simulation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific