The AETOURNOS project: Using a flock of UAVs as a Cyber Physical System and platform for application-driven research

International audienceThis position paper presents the Airborne Embedded auTonomOUs Robust Network of Objects and Sensors (AETOURNOS) platform. We have two main goals: firstly conducting research in swarming / flocking of UAVs, mixing robotics, wireless sensor and actuator networks, and secondly using this as an application domain and a challenge/demo platform for other researches. After giving an overview of the project context, questions and ambitions, we give details about our first attempt to implement a flocking behavior based on a spring-damper model in simulation, combining our first physical experiments and developments with the potential hardware. The lessons learned help us build a research and action plan for the year to come