Purdue Launches Smart Crossways Operations Center to Drive UAV Innovation

Purdue University’s Center on AI for Digital, Autonomous and Augmented Aviation (AIDA3) recently celebrated the opening of its Smart Operations Center (SOC) at Purdue Airport. As the hub of the new Smart Crossways air corridor—a 200-mile pathway for autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs)—the SOC aims to support safe, AI-powered UAV flights for diverse applications, from cargo transport to medical deliveries. Unveiled alongside the AIrTonomy workshop, the SOC integrates advanced tech like high-def monitoring, VR/AR, and motion-capture to enable immersive UAV operations and support real-world testing of AAVs within a regulated airspace.

This groundbreaking initiative, supported by the National Science Foundation, brings together academia and industry, including Purdue's AIDA3 team and defense partner Saab Inc., to advance urban air mobility. Through facilities like the SOC, Purdue aims to scale UAV operations safely and efficiently, ultimately targeting a 1-to-10 operator-to-UAV ratio by 2025.

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