Community-youth, Youth

The Rise of Drone Technology – NTU AeroSoc

27 Jun 2023
Written by: Yuvika Akar, NTU AeroSoc

Introduction

The aviation industry has always been rooted in a rapidly developing landscape, and the rise of drone technology now stands at the vanguard of this transformation. Over the past decade, the term ‘drones’ has evolved from a highly specialized military aircraft to topping your 9-year-old’s Christmas wish list . This shift to consumerism, no doubt brought on by technological advances, doesn’t discount the plethora of applications that these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have across industries.

The aerospace industry is able to leverage drone coding by enabling the design, development, and operations of UAVs with advanced capabilities. These include integrated sensors, regulatory compliance, autonomous flights, and much more! As the demand for drones continues to grow, there is a huge scope for skilled drone coders to unlock the full potential of drones and explore applications in the aerospace world and beyond!

NTU’s Drone Coding Workshop

Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Aerospace Society, in collaboration with the university’s residential program, recently organized a first-of-its-kind drone coding workshop! This workshop aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills to fly and code Tello Edu Drones using Python commands. The inclusivity factor was huge, allowing students from all majors to participate; the applications of drone technology isn’t limited to aviation, and inviting diverse perspectives fostered innovation in the room.

Under the guidance of our experienced society members, students learned how to communicate with the drones through code, issuing commands and programming flight paths. To put their newfound skills to the test, students were tasked with designing and completing an obstacle course using their UAVs. From avoiding obstacles like chairs to performing intricate maneuvers through bars, this challenge showcased technical abilities that were unlocked under the guise of teamwork!

This workshop proved to be just the start of many drone coding workshops that NTU’s Aerospace Society hopes to put on in the future! This workshop’s introduction to this arena can inspire university students as they take on the job market in a few years, giving them a head start to acquiring skills that are in high demand.

As mentioned, drone coders are sought after by industries across the board, from aerospace and defense to agriculture and filmmaking. The exposure of this technology is much needed for university students, and it is this mission that drives future projects for this society! We are just at the prelims and there is still so much to tackle; from understanding the ethicality of drones to covering other high performing languages, the future workshops aren’t one to miss!

A Step in the Right Direction

As drone technology continues to thrive in this dynamic environment, even small initiatives like this are crucial in nurturing talent and preparing individuals for the future of aerospace innovation. The workshop’s resounding success definitely showed us that we have definitely taken a step in the right direction!

Photo Credits: NTU Aerospace Society