Grants and Contributions:
Title:
AI enabled navigation of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones beyond visual line of sight
Agreement Number:
984562
Agreement Value:
$299,200.00
Agreement Date:
Apr 1, 2022 - Mar 31, 2026
Description:
Vertical takeoff and Landing (VTOL) vehicles provide highly practical means of delivering critical goods to remote locations in Canada. Recent advances in navigation sensors, satellite communication data links and AI-powered navigation payloads are paving the path towards safe and robust beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) VTOL drone delivery. Current drone delivery systems exclusively rely on GPS waypoint navigation autonomy functions to support BVLOS operation with remote pilot supervision, but mainstream operational adaptation of these systems requires additional safety critical measures to guarantee navigational accuracy regulatory requirements, protection measures against injury to persons caused by system failures and warning and alerts to enhance the risk awareness of the system.
To this end, this project will develop Al-based multi-sensor navigation technology that adapts to the changes in sensor information, facilitates autonomous real-time trajectory planning, and provides pilot assistance for vehicles engaged in BVLOS operations in remote Canadian environments.
Organization:
National Research Council Canada
Expected Results:
In the short term, anticipated outcomes will be strengthened collaborations across industry, academia, and government to support research excellence. In the medium term, anticipated outcomes will be the development of new and potentially disruptive technologies with collaborators. In the long term, find collaborative solutions to public policy challenges and create stronger innovation systems.
Location:
St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador, CA A1C 5S7
Reference Number:
172-2021-2022-Q4-984562
Agreement Type:
Grant
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Recipient Business Number:
107690273
Recipient Type:
Academia
Additional Information:
This agreement has been amended 1 time(s). The end date of this agreement has been modified by 151 days.
Amendment Date
Dec 19, 2025
Recipient's Legal Name:
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Federal Riding Name:
St. John's East
Federal Riding Number:
10006
Program:
Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives
Program Purpose:
Collaborate on multiparty research and development programs to catalyze transformative, high-risk, high-reward research with the potential for game-changing scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs in priority areas.
NAICS Code:
541710
Amendments: