Reins of control: the first universal remote control for UAVs will accelerate the training of drone operators

Russian engineers have created software for controlling drones, which can become a universal solution for training drone operators. The first truly universal remote control is a mobile application that is compatible with any UAVs using a regular Wi-Fi connection. The development is already being called an "intelligent assistant" system that can support a novice operator, even in difficult conditions. At the same time, experts note that so far the solution is primarily focused on training and local application.

What is a universal remote control for?

A youth engineering team from MAI has developed software compatible with any UAV, a virtual remote control that allows you to control any type of drone via Wi‑Fi. With its help, you can speed up the training of operators, since you can master piloting without a standard controller and special skills. The versatility of the solution is ensured by compatibility with any open source unmanned systems.

The application is a digital interface: the controls are superimposed on the image from the drone's camera, and the user can adjust the location of the buttons for themselves. The system also provides feedback, for example, through vibration or color signals on the smartphone screen during sudden changes in the position of the UAV without operator intervention.

As the captain of the youth team, Lev Feldman, explained, during the development, special attention was paid to reproducing the logic of traditional controllers.

— We tried to preserve the main characteristics of the well-known consoles, but to focus on controlled piloting. This allows you to use the application not only to control drones, but also as a training platform," he explained.

The developers emphasize the versatility of the solution: It is compatible with various types of drones, including systems with open source software. This distinguishes the project from a number of analogues, which are more often focused on specific ecosystems or require specialized equipment: for example, they work only on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android or iOS. The new development has no such limitations.

The project was implemented within the framework of the federal program "Personnel for UAS", operated by the University 2035, with the support of the Aeromobility Directorate of MAI. The development is considered as a tool for mass training of specialists in the field of unmanned aircraft.

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Practical benefits of technology

Industry experts note the educational potential of the development. Such software may be especially in demand in the educational environment — schools, universities and robotics circles, says Semyon Fedorov, a researcher at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University NTI Center. At the same time, he points out a limitation of the technology: due to the use of Wi-Fi, such solutions are still unsuitable for controlling drones over long distances.

The key advantage of the project is its accessibility and scalability, added Boris Bokarev, a member of the NTI Energynet working group. According to him, using a smartphone as a controller significantly reduces the threshold for entry into the profession and allows educational institutions to avoid purchasing expensive equipment. He also noted that the ability to fine-tune the interface and compatibility with open source software make the application a universal tool for working with various types of civilian drones.

— The introduction of vibration feedback and visual signals increases the situational awareness of the pilot. In fact, we are talking about creating an "intelligent assistant" system that can support a novice operator, even in difficult conditions," the expert explained.

Alexey Chuklin, CEO of RoboCorp, emphasized that the appearance of such solutions indicates the high potential of young specialists and the development of the industry as a whole.

"Not only the development itself is important, but also the technological developments that can be used in future projects in the field of robotics and unmanned systems," he said.

Such a virtual console can speed up the training of operators, as it allows them to master piloting skills without using traditional equipment, said Ivan Baranov, an expert in the field of information technology. According to him, this not only reduces costs, but also forms universal skills applicable in controlling various types of UAVs.

At the same time, experts agree that the current version of the solution is primarily focused on training and local use — in fact, as a simulator. However, with further refinement and integration with external systems, the project may reach a wider market.