Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

Autonomous platforms, like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), are expected to grow to a $80 billion market by 2025. Our goal is to leverage our prior work in wireless sensor networks, ad-hoc communications and networks, multi-sensor fusion and positioning/navigation to create an innovative UAV system in two new applications of strategic importance to oil and mining industries in Canada. In this proposal, we develop innovative UAV networks in: i) oil sands and other mining for detection of breakage of machinery parts and accurate localization of the detached metal parts; and, ii) oil and gas pipelines for monitoring structural health and for the detection and localization of damage to the pipeline. Our research will provide valuable hands-on experience in state-of-the-art design, performance evaluation and implementation of UAV cooperative operation, multi-sensor fusion, geo-referencing and embedded system realization on UAV processing boards for graduate students. In addition, the UAV-based System for Monitoring and Tracking of Oil and Gas Infrastructure will enable our trainees to directly work with our industry partners, contributing to their professional skills. Canadian oil, gas, mining and ICT sectors will have access to highly skilled graduates and to leading research on multi-sensor tracking and structural monitoring technologies. At least 10 graduate students will be trained on UAV networks, supervised by the applicants. These skills are in high demand in Canada and around the world. Our graduates will offer unique and timely skills to next-generation network architects and users and our research will extend Canadian expertise to new applications of growing demand in the oil and mining sectors.