Integrating Edge Computing and Cooperative AI-Based Collision Avoidance for Drone Operations

• Grant number: 25/08667-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computer Systems
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Fernando Bittencourt
• Grantee: Lucas de Paula Soares
• Supervisor: Fredrik Heintz
• Host Institution: Instituto de Computação (IC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Linköping University (LiU), Sweden
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/01769-0 - Leveraging Edge Computing and 6G for drone services, BP.MS

Abstract

Drone delivery services are emerging as an efficient solution for modern logistics. The advent of 5G/6G networks and edge computing is accelerating the viability of this model. However, a significant barrier to its widespread adoption is ensuring operational safety, especially in high-density airspaces with substantial risk of drone collisions.This FAPESP BEPE proposal addresses the critical challenge of collision avoidance in drone delivery systems by integrating cooperative, learning-based artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms with edge computing paradigm. Learning-based AI techniques are particularly promising in this context, enabling UAVs to adapt to dynamic conditions and reuse optimal policies.Building upon the existing simulation framework-developed and extended by the applicant-this project's primary objective is to incorporate an intelligent, cooperative AI-based collision avoidance algorithm into a software-in-the-loop environment. The study will also examine how offloading these intensive computations to edge servers influences algorithm performance and safety. The proposed research will be conducted at Linköping University under the supervision of Professor Fredrik Heintz, whose group at the Division of Artificial Intelligence and Integrated Systems (AIICS) has long-standing expertise in AI and autonomous systems. The lab's specialization and Professor Heintz's strong connections to industry partners such as Ericsson and SAAB provide an excellent environment to advance and validate this research stage.