Agile roadmap for application-driven Multi-UAV networks: The case of COVID-19

Abstract

Drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), are about to bring drastic transformations to our world and daily lives. News thinking and efficient deployment are required to boost the adoption of UAV-augmented commercial/civil applications. Yet, network service providers are still facing several design challenges of UAV-assisted application, due to lack of a roadmap allowing to meet the target service level agreement requirements. In this paper, we propose a complete framework for the UAV as a service paradigm, integrating all the actors/stakeholders contributing to the UAV-augmented service, and draw their interactions using data/service/money flows. Next, we instantiate our framework on the COVID-19-like pandemics, and discuss how to use it force social distancing, spray disinfectants, broadcast messages, deliver medical supplies and enhance surveillance. Computer simulation provide insights on how to set the multi-UAV network to combat COVID-19.