Unmanned systems are poised to transform industrial operations and services, offering a pathway towards more sustainable practices. The shift from manned to unmanned operations not only streamlines manpower, cost, and safety measures, but also holds the potential to drastically reducing or eliminating carbon emissions.

This evolution, often termed as 'Droneification,' necessitates the fusion of aerospace intelligence (including robotics and AI) with sustainable technologies (such as renewable energy sources and advanced materials) to devise industrial solutions with zero or minimal emissions.

The Interdisciplinary Research Center for Aviation & Space Exploration has 3 highlights to showcase: 

1. Solar-Battery Hybrid Drone for Autonomous Pipeline Inspection: Showcased at WEC 2024, this drone offers a zero-emission solution for frequent pipeline inspections, combining autonomous capabilities with solar panels to extend operational endurance. 
   
2. Precision Airdrop Drone with Autonomous Target Zone Detection: Designed for zero-emission logistics, this drone features onboard AI for object detection, classification, and precise airdrop of deliveries with up to 5 kg payloads. 
   
3. Awards & Recognition: Our propulsion/combustion researcher recognized as among Top 2% of Scientists Worldwide by Stanford Academy; Our Unmanned systems researcher awarded Bronze at GAMI's Innovation Award for Military Industries at World Defense Show (WDS) 2024

As unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) continue to permeate various industry sectors, our focus remains on developing sustainable industrial solutions that harness the versatility of drones to advance the vision of achieving Net Zero Aviation.