Virtual Immersive Simulation for Training with Drones (VISTA)

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are viewed as crucial elements in the ecology of smart cities and mobility, their rapid advancement has transformed industries ranging from agriculture and logistics to emergency response and environmental monitoring. As the utilization of UAS continues to expand in various industrial sectors and play an increasingly vital role in modern society, there is an increasing need to train and prepare UAS pilots who will be capable of navigating complex operational environments and adhering to regulatory standards. This research will develop a cost-effective, accessible, and safe training approach that will equip prospective UAS pilots with the necessary skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience. This project will design and deliver an educational digital experience to both K-12 and higher education students who are interested in pursuing a career as UAS (also known as drone) pilots. Traditional UAS training approaches often require significant resources including a special training environment and equipment, which presents barriers to educational institutions. This project will investigate a Virtual Reality (VR)-based immersive hands-on drone operations training program designed to introduce K-12 and higher education students to foundational concepts, basic maneuvering, and advanced applications of UAS operations. VR technology offers a unique opportunity to simulate realistic drone operation scenarios providing a cost-effective, immersive approach to UAS training, enabling K-12 and higher education institutions with limited resources to offer hands-on experience to a broader range of students without the need for physical drones. Additionally, as it allows new pilots and learners to practice essential skills and safety protocols in a virtual space, VR technology mitigates the risks and costs associated with inexperience, ensuring both learner safety and equipment preservation.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/Research/reportsandplans/Lists/Final%20Reports%20All/Item/displayifs.aspx?List=47f3581d%2Df21c%2D403b%2D9358%2Dfea0b008772b&ID=814&Source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edot%2Estate%2Eoh%2Eus%2FDivisions%2FPlanning%2FSPR%2FResearch%2Freportsandplans%2FLists%2FFinal%2520Reports%2520All%2FAllItems%2Easpx%3FuseFiltersInViewXml%3D1%26FilterField1%3DCategories%26FilterValue1%3DDriveOhio%26FilterType1%3DMultiChoice%26FilterField2%3DResearch%255Fx0020%255FOrganization%26FilterValue2%3DBowling%2520Green%2520State%2520University%26FilterType2%3DChoice&ContentTypeId=0x0100BD006C89430C884FB603A74E63BB6849&RootFolder=%2FDivisions%2FPlanning%2FSPR%2FResearch%2Freportsandplans%2FLists%2FFinal%20Reports%20All

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $150,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  42154

  123346

  136990

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Ohio Department of Transportation

  Research Program
  1980 West Broad Street
  Columbus, OH  United States  43223
• Project Managers:

  Fout, Vicky

• Performing Organizations:

  Bowling Green State University

  College of Business Administration
  1001 East Wooster
  Bowling Green, OH  United States  43403
• Principal Investigators:

  Shila, Jacob

• Start Date: 20250401
• Expected Completion Date: 20261001
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pilots; Drones; Education and training; Students; Virtual reality
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Education and Training; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01948803
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Ohio Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 42154, 123346, 136990
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 19 2025 8:33AM