1. Faculty of Environment
  2. Institute for Transport Studies
  3. Research and innovation
  4. Research projects
  5. E-Drone

Research project

E-Drone

  • Start date: 1 December 2020
  • End date: 29 December 2023
  • Funder: EPSRC
  • Value: £1,800,000
  • Partners and collaborators: University of Southampton, University College London, Bournemouth University
  • External primary investigator: Professor Tom Cherrett
  • Co-investigators: Professor Greg Marsden

Our research vision for the E-Drone project is to examine the energy reduction potential of integrated logistics solutions involving Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, commonly known as drones) operating alongside traditional and sustainable last-mile delivery solutions (e.g. vans, cargo cycles, walking porters). 

This involves generating fundamental new understanding of how drone operations will function in shared airspace in harmony with traditional, crewed aircraft under various regulations. The project uses a case study approach based around NHS patient diagnostic sample transportation involving simulated and live trials across the Solent region.

The University of Leeds is conducting research on the governance dilemmas surrounding the potential introduction of drones for logistics in the UK using Q-Sort methods.