GeoAI for UAVs and Earth Observation: Methods, Applications and Possible Integration
A special issue of Drones (ISSN 2504-446X). This special issue belongs to the section "Drones in Ecology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 16 July 2026 | Viewed by 331
Special Issue Editors
2. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale"–COVEPI GIS and Statistic Unit, Via Campo Boario, 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Interests: remote sensing; earth observation data; UAV; thermography; one health; GIS; google earth engine; machine learning; GeoAI; environmental sciences
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: GIS; UAV; wildlife; geostatistics; epidemiology; animal health; veterinary
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: remote sensing; earth observation data; agronomy; classification; AI; machine learning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Earth Observation (EO) is undergoing a transformative evolution driven primarily by the integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). UAVs, often complemented by satellite platforms, provide rich, high-resolution data streams from multispectral, hyperspectral, LiDAR, radar, and thermal sensors. These data sources, when combined with advanced AI and Machine Learning (ML) techniques, enable sophisticated spatial analysis including automated feature extraction, classification, and predictive modeling. This powerful fusion, commonly referred to as GeoAI, is significantly advancing our capacity to monitor and interpret complex environmental and natural science phenomena, pushing the boundaries of remote sensing research and practical applications.
The aim of this Special Issue is to gather high-quality papers (original articles, reviews, communications) that present innovative methodologies, practical applications, and case studies as well as critical evaluations of AI and ML techniques for processing UAV and satellite data within diverse spatial contexts. We emphasize contributions that address real-world challenges across multiple disciplines, with a core focus on UAVs as essential components within the broader remote sensing framework. Submissions that demonstrate the complementary use of UAV and satellite data—or leverage one platform for validation, multi-scale analysis, or enhanced modeling—are strongly encouraged.
This Special Issue welcomes manuscripts covering topics including, but not limited to, the following:
- Development of novel AI/ML algorithms tailored for multi-sensor (LiDAR, radar, thermal) data acquired primarily by UAVs and optionally integrated with satellite data;
- Multidisciplinary applications in environmental monitoring, forestry, agriculture, geology, veterinary sciences, and related fields utilizing UAV-based sensing;
- Techniques and applications for multi-platform and multi-sensor data fusion involving UAVs and satellite systems;
- Innovative sensor technologies deployed on UAVs and their integration with Earth Observation datasets;
- GeoAI approaches to object detection, classification, and temporal change monitoring using UAV and satellite data;
- Comprehensive reviews addressing the current state of the art, challenges, and future research directions in UAV-based remote sensing and AI;
- Theoretical critiques and explorations of new possibilities in UAV and satellite data analysis using AI/ML.
We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions in the form of original research articles, reviews, communications, and technical reports that advance the field of UAV-enabled Earth Observation.
Dr. Tommaso Orusa
Dr. Annalisa Viani
Dr. Filippo Sarvia
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Drones is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- UAVs
- earth observation
- algorithms
- applications in sciences
- GeoAI
- hyperspectral/multispectral
- SAR
- LiDAR
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