OU Researchers collaborate with NASA for Next-Gen Aerospace Solutions

NORMAN, OKLA. – A team from the University of Oklahoma Gallogly College of Engineering has embarked on a pioneering partnership with scientists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, to advance research and technological development in advanced air mobility. This initiative aims to support NASA's efforts in integrating a range of new scalable traffic management operations, focusing on enhancing energy efficiency and real-time capabilities in collision avoidance, navigation, and control systems for advanced air mobility in complex environments.

Funded by a NASA EPSCoR grant, the research team comprises Mike Banad, Rockee Zhang, and Golnaz Habibi from OU and He Bai from Oklahoma State University. This project will use neuromorphic, or advanced brain-like technology, to improve the ways in which uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) manage air traffic – focusing on improving their ability to sense and avoid obstacles, as well as their communication and navigation skills. This research aims to improve the safety of adding UAS for urban transportation into current air traffic systems.

Through communication with NASA and a visit to the Ames Research center, the team has aligned the project with the NASA NExCT program goals to establish functional requirements for air traffic management operations and to foster cooperative operating practices among diverse aircraft types. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to developing innovative, AI-enabled, scalable and secure autonomous navigational solutions, improving the efficiency and safety of unmanned aerial vehicle operations and contribute to the program’s broader goal of advancing air mobility and traffic management technologies for future aerospace endeavors.