Autonomous Eagle Drone Sensing (AEDS) Lab is a collaborative center of excellence for remote environmental sensing and interdisciplinary education, jointly operated by Embry‑Riddle and Stetson University. Located at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center on Lake Beresford in DeLand, Florida, the lab combines expertise in environmental science, uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), sensor technology and AI.
Embry‑Riddle's ongoing excellence in uncrewed aircraft systems brings cutting-edge drone technologies and environmental sensor integration, while joint coursework bridges engineering, AI and environmental science. This partnership builds on a strong history of collaboration between Embry‑Riddle and Stetson’s Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience (IWER), which has already resulted in NSF and NOAA-funded research.
By embedding the AEDS Lab within IWER, the institutions are creating a powerful environment for pursuing innovative, grant-funded projects that address critical environmental challenges.
Mission
The AEDS Lab is an interdisciplinary hub for education and research dedicated to advancing the science and application of remote sensing through autonomous uncrewed aircraft systems. It facilitates the collection of critical data to address current environmental challenges and help prepare for future sustainability.
Goals
- Solve environmental data collection needs that help create solutions for water, land and atmospheric challenges occurring in an ever-changing world.
- Experiment with technologies that bring together state-of-the-art uncrewed aircraft systems and sensing technologies.
- Create a collaborative educational setting where multidisciplinary groups work together while providing needed services for government, industry and academe.
Research Focus
- Apply autonomous uncrewed aircraft systems to meet unmet remote sensing needs.
- Develop AI-enhanced sensing payloads to advance technology and practice.
- Collect environmental data to help impact local, state, federal and international policy related to water and other environmental resource conservation and sustainability.
Lab Director
