Aerial robotics arena to open in London

According to Imperial, the global market value of unmanned aerial robot manufacturing is expected to reach an estimated $89bn in the next ten years, with applications ranging from search and rescue, wildlife conservation and inspection and repair of industrial facilities, particularly in hazardous environments.     

Imperial says it aims to capitalise on its position as one of the UK’s leading centres for aerial robotics research with the development of the new laboratory at its South Kensington Campus.

The development of this £1.25m facility has been made possible thanks to a gift from Imperial alumnus Brahmal Vasudevan, the founder and CEO of private equity firm Creador.

The Brahmal Vasudevan Aerial Robotics Lab will consist of a two-storey laboratory and workshop, hosted by the City and Guilds building, on its roof. It will have teaching facilities for undergraduates and postgraduates, housing a workshop for manufacturing aerial robots and an enclosed arena for test flights.  It will also be one of only a handful of facilities in the world that will be able to test hybrid aerial robots that can fly and then dive into water.