Enabling Technologies for Autonomous Flight in Challenging Environments

Special systems must be used to support autonomous aircraft that must operate at low altitude in urban environments. These platforms could be useful for several applications, such as building inspection, package delivery. Recent geopolitical events worldwide are demonstrating that the operation of low-altitude autonomous aerial platforms shall be properly manage to guarantee overall security. Autonomy includes autonomous collision avoidance with fixed and moving obstacles, autonomous ground crash avoidance, and autonomous navigation. This paper presents several sensors and systems that can be used to build up a system configuration that provides this functionality. Advantages and drawbacks are discussed for the most diffused applications. Guidelines are derived to integrate the systems to operate typical missions.