Drones are already used in a variety of sectors, including agriculture, construction, surveillance, film-making, healthcare, and emergency services. Given the scale and complexity of drone operations expected in the coming years, a holistic approach is required for managing the airspace. AI4HYDROP developed a dynamic, AI-based framework to ensure safe drone operations in both restricted and urban areas.

The project addressed based tools and information flows, the project aimed to enable future drone operations at scale, representing a digital step change in air traffic management. The proposed framework leveraged AI to support more automated U-space services, focusing on airspace structure design, dynamic capacity-based separation, meteorological and turbulence prediction, flight planning approval and prioritisation, as well as surveillance and contingency planning. AI4HYDROP also validated the framework through use cases involving different scenarios and stakeholders in urban environments. The project contributed to advancing scientific knowledge, technological innovation, economic opportunities, environmental benefits, and the societal impacts of U-space and urban air mobility operations.