Trends, Innovative Developments and Disruptive Applications in UAV Remote Sensing

Dear Colleagues,

UAVs represent one of the most relevant emerging technologies in the remote sensing domain of the last two decades, becoming a valid alternative to traditional acquisition techniques in a wide range of applications. This has been possible thanks to the massive development of cross-disciplinary solutions and methods fusing elements from different domains such as remote sensing, computer science, artificial intelligence, and robotics. Despite this, additional efforts need to be done to develop more reliable, accurate and automated solutions to make UAVs a valid instrument to tackle the societal challenges of tomorrow. Autonomous exploration methods, AI-based algorithms, new sensor and data integration as well as the setting of disruptive integrated solutions of UAVs with other instruments are just few examples of research fields currently opened. 

This Special Issue aims at collecting new algorithms, methods, and solutions leveraging on UAV data collection and exploitation to tackle a wide range of applications and societal challenges. We welcome submissions that provide the community with advanced scientific solutions and innovative applications dealing with UAVs, including, but not limited to:

• Photogrammetric data processing for innovative mapping applications;
• Artificial intelligence algorithms using UAV data as input;
• Autonomous navigation, exploration and mapping in outdoor and indoor environments;
• Efficient sensor fusion to improve UAV navigation;
• Data fusion: integration of UAV data with other heterogenous typologies of data;
• Integration of heterogeneous data captured by UAVs;
• Real-time onboard or cloud/remote data processing;
• Collaborative or swarm of UAVs applied to remote sensing applications;
• UAVs as part of IoT solutions;
• Cutting edge solutions in precision farming, search and rescue, disaster monitoring, infrastructure and urban monitoring and mapping, and other relevant applications;
• Other innovative UAV solutions to address the Sustainable Development Goals and societal challenges.

Prof. Dr. Francesco Nex
Dr. Davide Antonio Cucci
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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