WVXU: How drones can slow spread of COVID-19

Cincinnati Public Radio's WVXU talked to University of Cincinnati aerospace engineering professor Kelly Cohen about the novel ways drones are being deployed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Cohen, the interim head of UC's Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, told WVXU that unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, can deliver medical supplies, antibody tests, vaccines or personal protective equipment safely without risk of spreading infection.

Cohen oversees the UAV Master Lab in UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science, where researchers are developing automated navigation systems using artificial intelligence. UC is developing new drone applications to respond to a disaster, conduct inspections and manage a crisis.

UC is working with the U.S. Air Force Research Lab, among other partners, to coordinate swarms of drones that work in tandem for search and rescue and other uses.

"There's a lot of activity happening. We have a very strong team of staff and very excited and motivated students," Cohen told WVXU.

Listen to the full WVXU story.

Featured image at top: UC research associate Bryan Brown, left, and UC student Austin Wessels operate a drone in this 2018 photo. UC collaborated with the Ohio Department of Transportation on a traffic-management project. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Creative + Brand