Macquarie Park
Sydney NSW, Australia
Current research projects
Explore the groundbreaking drone projects we’re leading across autonomy, swarm technology, high-performance platforms, drone applications, and safety innovation.
Externally funded projects
Project Title: Virtual-GPS for GNSS-Denied Airspace: Beacon-Based Sensing and Stochastic Control for UAS Navigation
Summary: This project addresses the critical need for accurate UAS localisation in GNSS-denied airspace by replacing jam-prone satellite signals with beacon-based “virtual-GPS”. It will deliver algorithms and tools that enable precise navigation under contested GNSS-denied conditions. A stochastic co-design framework will optimise support-UAS trajectories, and target-UAS state estimation and control. The project outcomes will significantly enhance Defence surveillance and autonomy in contested airspace. Strong commercialization potential is anticipated through IP licensing or a spin-off model at the project’s conclusion. Future implementation pathways include hardware-in-the-loop testing, field trials, and commercialisation via licensing or spin-off, targeting Defence and dual-use UAV markets.
Funding Body: NSW Defence Innovation Network
Funding Amount: $149,997
Chief Investigators:
- Iain Collings
- Stephen Hanly
- Hazer Inaltekin
- Sarah Johnson (Uni Newcastle)
- Boyang Li (Uni Newcastle)
- Subhas Mukhopadhyay
- Brett Ninness (Uni Newcastle)
Project Title: Autonomous Drone Battery Swap
Summary: The project focuses on overcoming the key challenge of limited drone flight time by enabling autonomous mid-air battery swaps, allowing drones to operate continuously on long-range missions without interruption. This innovative technology will unlock new possibilities across multiple sectors, including logistics, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and emergency response, driving efficiency and operational capabilities.
Funding Body: Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) – Innovate Stream
Funding Amount: $2.24 million
Chief Investigators:
- Richard Han
- Alice James
- Endrowednes Kuantama
- Subhas Mukhopadhyay
- Avishkar Seth
Industry Collaborator: N2N AI