WVXU: UC to help Ohio shape drone investment

College of Engineering and Applied Science will help consultant study economics of drones

WVXU reported on the University of Cincinnati's latest venture with the Ohio Department of Transportation to help study the economics of drones in Ohio.

UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science will help Crown Consulting and NEXA Capital Partners examine the use of drones, autonomous cargo aircraft, medevac organ transplant delivery and air taxis in Ohio, particularly along the I-71 corridor between Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland.

“This study is one of the first of its kind in the United States and will be watched across the country. Our UC [Unmanned Aerial Vehicle] Team is extremely excited to participate in this important work,” said Kelly Cohen, head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics in UC’s College of Engineering and Applied Science.

The study is among the first of its kind in the United States and supports ODOT's DriveOhio initiative to spur innovation and new business.

Read more about UC's project.

Featured image at top: A UC drone. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Creative + Brand

Related Stories

1

UC launches Bearcat Affordability Grant

January 7, 2026

The University of Cincinnati is making college more attainable for students across Ohio with the creation of the Bearcat Affordability Grant. The new grant will provide a pathway to tuition-free college for students of families who make less than $75,000 per year. Beginning in fall 2026, the Bearcat Affordability Grant will cover the remaining cost of tuition for Ohio residents who are Pell eligible.

2

How aerospace is turning to trustworthy AI

January 6, 2026

UC College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate Lynn Pickering talks to the Ohio Federal Research Network about her research into artificial intelligence and the future of AI in aerospace engineering.

3

UC's art collection on display at the Contemporary Arts Center

January 5, 2026

University of Cincinnati leaders joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to talk about the university’s 200-year-old art collection, a new exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center and the release of a companion book exploring the collection’s role in education and public engagement.