AI and Connectivity in the Internet of Unmanned Vehicles: Challenges and Innovations

Dear Colleagues,

The convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced connectivity is revolutionizing the field of the Internet of Unmanned Vehicles (IoUV), an ecosystem encompassing drones, autonomous cars, and unmanned maritime vehicles. This integration promises to unlock unprecedented levels of autonomy, coordination, and intelligence in applications ranging from smart logistics and precision agriculture to urban mobility and public safety. However, the realization of a truly seamless and robust IoUV network is fraught with significant challenges, such as the demand for ultra-reliable, low-latency communication (URLLC) in dynamic environments, the need for resilient AI algorithms that can operate under computational and connectivity constraints, and the critical importance of security, privacy, and trustworthy collaboration among heterogeneous unmanned systems. Addressing these intertwined challenges requires groundbreaking innovations at the intersection of networking, distributed computing, and machine learning.

We are pleased to invite submissions to this Special Issue, which will compile the latest advancements and transformative solutions to existing bottlenecks, as well as foster discussion on the future research directions that will shape the next generation of intelligent, connected unmanned systems.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. AI-driven communication and networking protocols;
2. Distributed and federated learning for IoUV;
3. Edge–cloud computing and task offloading;
4. Secure, safe, and trustworthy AI.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. António Pereira
Guest Editor

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