High Tech Campus Eindhoven is going to experiment with drone delivery
As part of the European research program Flying Forward 2020 (FF2020), various tests will be carried out in the coming months with autonomous flying drones above the High Tech Campus Eindhoven (HTCE). One of the applications that will be investigated is the delivery of packages, meals and AEDs on campus. Drones will also be used for surveillance and building inspections.
Flying Forward 2020
Flying Forward 2020 is a three-year project exploring the application of urban air mobility in the context of different European cities. From the Netherlands, Maastricht University and High Tech Campus Eindhoven are involved as project partners. The aim of the project is to develop governance models, regulations and digital infrastructure to support future drone operations over urban areas.
During the duration of the project, experimental flights will be conducted at five living labs, including the High Tech Campus Eindhoven. Five use cases will be tested there in the coming months. The first focuses on security, where drones will be used to monitor premises and assist security personnel. The second use case involves inspecting buildings by drones, which will scan buildings to assess their condition. The other three use cases involve the last-mile delivery of goods such as meals, packages and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to remote areas of campus.
Knowledge sharing
Ted van Hoof, Project Manager Urban Air Mobility at High Tech Campus Eindhoven: “HTCE is the first living lab in this research and innovation project where actual tests and demonstrations are performed. It is also one of the first locations in Europe to experiment with Urban Air Mobility and experience multiple drones flying autonomously to perform specific tasks.”
Van Hoof emphasizes the importance of knowledge sharing and safety. “Right now, any knowledge we gain from these tests will help make a step forward that will also benefit others in this field. I hope the use cases on campus will help improve UAM solutions so that European citizens can reap the benefits of these applications in their everyday lives for the next ten years, while ensuring safety.”
Event
In June 2022, FF2020 will hold an event in the city of Eindhoven to show the results of the first living lab. Members of the project will then present the innovative solutions being developed within the consortium, and there will be networking opportunities for representatives from the Dutch UAM sector and the press.
