Autonomous Drone Discovery

Outdoor Drone Facility Takes Flight

UTA officially opened the Maverick Autonomous Vehicle Research Center (MAVRC) at the UTA Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. This $2 million, state-of-the-art outdoor netted facility is designed to accelerate the development of autonomous technology. It allows researchers to test drones in a controlled, FAA-compliant environment equipped with 26 motion-capture cameras and nighttime lighting.

Radar system aims to catch drone failures early

Dr. Han is developing a remote diagnostic system using millimeter-wave radar to detect early warning signs of drone malfunctions. The goal is for the system to identify subtle mechanical issues—like changes in propeller speed or unusual vibrations—that often indicate problems before they become critical. As drones take on larger roles in logistics and operations like delivery networks, aging hardware and general wear and tear can pose serious safety risks. Issues like failing sensors and propeller damage can lead to crashes if not caught early. Han’s system aims to detect these problems in advance, helping prevent accidents and reduce costly downtime and repairs.