With new funding from the Kenneth M. Molson Foundation, Professor Jinjun Shan and his team are working to advance drone transportation with a focus on developing novel techniques to address challenges related to bad weather and/or complex environments.
Jinjun Shan
The Kenneth M. Molson Foundation supports initiatives that advance Canada's transportation sector through innovative research and development.
"By improving drone applications and their ability to navigate complex environments, we're moving closer to a future where drones can play a larger role in everything from emergency response to everyday deliveries," says Shan. "This funding allows us to tackle some of the biggest challenges in autonomous flight and bring practical, real-world solutions to the industry."
Currently, drones face challenges navigating areas with weak or no GPS and operating in harsh weather like wind, snow and rain. They also struggle with the "decision-making" required to avoid obstacles and are limited to carrying only small, lightweight packages.
The project aims to change the way drones are used in transportation and delivery, opening the door for smart, reliable and affordable self-operating machines.
Professor Jinjun Shan and his students with a drone.
Lassonde's research will be conducted at York's Spacecraft Dynamics Control and Navigation Lab (SDCNLab), where Shan and his team explore intelligent autonomous systems such as spacecraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), mobile robots and self-driving cars. Shan says with this funding, the team will work to develop advanced navigation and control systems that will enable drones to coordinate their movements in real time - also known as cooperative transportation technology.
The project will receive $150,000 over three years and will progress in stages. The team will first work on refining drone navigation and coordination systems, ensuring that multiple drones can fly together efficiently. The second phase will focus on controller design and trajectory optimization, preventing collisions and stabilizing payload movement. Finally, the third phase will involve real-world testing, both indoors and outdoors, to validate the system's effectiveness.
Shan's research has the potential to make an impact across multiple industries.
Drones play an increasingly critical role in transportation, logistics, environmental monitoring and emergency response, says Shan. Advancements in drone technology could mean better outcomes for tasks like wildfire monitoring, border security, disaster response and package delivery, especially in Canada's vast and remote areas.
Lassonde's strong emphasis on experiential learning means that this research will also provide hands-on opportunities for students. Hassan Alkomy earned his PhD ('22) in earth and space science under Shan's supervision, working in the field of dynamics and control of drone delivery.
"I focused on the sustainability, reliability and safety of the delivery process, so I introduced energy-efficient strategies for the delivery process as well as approaches to reduce the vibrations of the cable-suspended packages during transportation," says Alkomy. "My work at Prof. Shan's lab at York University equipped me with both the theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience necessary to conduct cutting-edge research in the field of robotics in general, which is my current research focus as an assistant professor at the University of New Brunswick. So, this wonderful experience has greatly shaped my career."
This initiative, and its impact on student experience, reinforces York University's reputation as a leader in autonomous systems and aerospace technology, says Shan.
"With Canada's only space engineering program, Lassonde is at the forefront of aerospace innovation," says Shan. "The Kenneth M. Molson Foundation funding is instrumental in allowing my team to conduct impactful research by providing necessary resources, which will ultimately enable me to dig deeper into my research questions and produce high-quality research outcome."
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter.
