Researchers develop sUAS landing system for deliveries in difficult terrain

Researchers at the Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University, Chennai, have developed an  intelligent autonomous landing system for small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS) that could enable expansion of operations across areas with difficult terrain.

The AI-enabled system is designed to find the precise location of a marker and land there safely even on hilly terrain with an uneven surface. The researchers say the system is particularly useful for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) applications.

The technology could, for example, improve and enable delivery and collection of ammunition, medicines and food to armed forces deployed along hilly terrains or inaccessible locations along the Indian border. It also has potential civil applications such as medical organ or sample delivery and e-commerce parcel deliveries to remote areas.