Macquarie Park
Sydney NSW, Australia
Project funding
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: 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
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: Robust and Scalable Autonomous Landing for Drones
Summary: This project develops a robust and scalable autonomous landing system for drones, addressing one of the key barriers to large-scale drone delivery. The technology will enable safe, reliable, and precise drone landings across diverse environments, supporting urban, suburban, and remote operations. By unlocking this critical capability, the project will accelerate the growth of the drone delivery industry, drive new commercial applications, and position Australia as a global leader in drone innovation.
Funding Body: Australian Research Council (ARC) – Linkage Project
Funding Amount: $459,593
Chief Investigators:
- Prof Richard Han
- Prof Annabelle McIver
- Dr Xi Zheng
Industry Collaborator:
- SKYY Holdings Pty Ltd
Project Title: Aurae Long-Range Electric Cargo Drone
Summary: This project develops Seaflight’s Aurae long-range electric cargo drone, integrating innovative Aerodynamic Flow Control technology to increase lift, reduce drag, and improve battery efficiency. The drone will enable cost-effective, sustainable cargo delivery over long distances, including urban, regional, and remote areas of Australia. The collaboration between Seaflight Technologies, Macquarie University, and UNSW combines industry expertise with academic research to accelerate electric aviation technologies, advance Australian innovation, and reduce aviation greenhouse gas emissions.
Funding Body: Australian Government – Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships (EATP) Program
Funding Amount: $3,000,000 AUD ($1.5M direct funding + $1.5M in-kind partner support)
Chief Investigators:
- Dr. Sammy Diasinos (Macquarie University)
Industry Collaborator:
- Seaflight Technologies Inc.
Academic Partner:
- University of New South Wales (UNSW)