GODFEATHERS Information

Project GODFEATHERS (Galileo-cOpernicus Drone Fleet for Enhanced Autonomous THreat and Emergency Response and Security) combines Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) and Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data to deploy autonomous drone fleets for real-time, high-resolution mapping in emergency scenarios and/or critical areas. These tools aim to provide first responders with high-fidelity, tailored maps, significantly enhancing situational awareness during disasters such as floods, thereby saving time and lives. GODFEATHERS utilizes API-driven software to integrate Sentinel satellite data from Copernicus and its Emergency Management Service to predict flooding areas and identify densely populated zones. The overlap of these layers identifies the most vulnerable zones for first responder deployment. This critical information is displayed on a tablet, acting as a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) available to crisis centers, enabling efficient decision-making to dispatch first responders to the disaster area. First responders carry portable drone ports into the field, deploy drones to the identified zones, and validate scanning areas. The drones autonomously divide and sweep the critical area using Galileo GNSS for precise navigation. Equipped with multiple sensors—an optical camera for live footage, an infrared camera for detecting heat signatures, and a LiDAR scanner for altimetry—the drones generate comprehensive, real-time maps. Processed data is transmitted via 5G from the drone port to the crisis center, ensuring near real-time map updates for optimal call of action. While drone operations face stringent regulations, the principle of necessity during crises justifies deployment. Additionally, GODFEATHERS aligns with the Single European Sky initiative, fostering a unified airspace management approach.