Toward a Science of Autonomy for Physical Systems: Aerial Earth Science

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with LiDAR, electro-­‐optical and infrared cameras, SAR and atmospheric sensors have transformed the way we acquire high spatio-­‐ temporal resolution data. For example, UAVs equipped with these sensors have been able to obtain topography at resolutions of less than one meter, revolutionizing earth sciences. Surface processes act at spatial scales on the order of a meter to produce intricate landforms and UAVs equipped with these sensors are able to measure the three dimensional spatio-­‐ temporal geometry of the earths surface and overlying anthropogenic features and vegetation at resolutions appropriate to document these processes. In addition, surface changes due to erosion, transport and sedimentation, as well as earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes can be quantified with this data. Other examples include using UAVs to conduct damage assessment in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan, take census of destroyed buildings and identify flooded areas in Haiti after Hurricane Sandy, and provide aerial support for UN peacekeeping efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo [1]. UAVs come in a wide variety of sizes which determines their flight times and payload capacities. While UAVs are often piloted remotely by one or many human pilots, they also vary in their capacity for autonomous flight [2]. Coupled with satellite imaging, unmanned and autonomous aerial vehicles are poised to transform how we monitor the millions of physical, chemical, and biological processes on planet Earth. Processes in which the amalgamation drives climate-­‐weather patterns and geophysical phenomena across the globe and affects food-­‐production, contaminant and disease dispersion, natural disasters, and various other activities of significant economic and ecological impact.