aau/MüllerWhenever a package weighing more than a drone needs to be transported to a disaster area, it takes several mini drones to get the job done. Aamna Piracha is researching decentralized formation control and collaborative slung payload transport with multiple UAVs operating as a collective system. She is particularly interested in enabling drone swarms to safely and autonomously maneuver in cluttered and unpredictable environments while carrying rescue packages, such as through collapsed urban areas or narrow streets.

“I am investigating how multiple drones—typically three to six—can maintain a stable formation to carry a slung package, while continuously adapting to the changes in their environment,” explains Aamna Piracha, a pre-doctoral researcher at the Department of Networked and Embedded Systems in Bernhard Rinner’s research group.
She goes on to explain the requirements in greater detail: “The drones must be able to dynamically adjust their positions relative to each other and change their formation shape depending on the spatial constraints of the environment.” “It is crucial that the load remains stable. Even the slightest deviation in the position of a single drone can destabilize the entire swarm. These formation adjustments must happen in real time and without centralized control,” she says.
To develop these systems, Aamna Piracha uses artificial intelligence methods, especially multi-agent reinforcement learning. Reinforcement learning enables each drone to learn from experience, improving navigation and decision-making in cluttered spaces. A well-learned policy can enhance collaborative decision-making in complex environments. In this case, it means that each agent independently recognizes the positions of the others, coordinates an optimal formation, and reacts in real time.
The challenge is considerable, says Aamna Piracha: “Previous research has produced solutions for open environments. But real-world scenarios—such as after an earthquake—we may have collapsed buildings, debris fields, and narrow pathways. Our drones must autonomously reconfigure their formation, avoid obstacles, and keep the payload stable—all without human intervention.”
Aamna Piracha brings extensive scientific expertise as well as international experience to the table: she grew up in Islamabad, Pakistan, where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. She then moved to South Korea to pursue her Master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Ajou University. After graduating, she spent several years working in science and public service in Pakistan. She has been living and conducting research in Austria since 2023. “The research group offers ideal conditions for me—not only professionally, but also in terms of family life,” she explains. Aamna Piracha is the mother of a four-year-old daughter who attends kindergarten in Lakeside Park, right next door to Aamna’s office.
When asked how she sees the future role of drone technology in our society, she explains: “Drones will be deployed wherever possible because they are becoming more agile and can provide quicker services to society. However, they also cause problems, such as data protection and privacy challenges, noise pollution, and security gaps.” In the future, Aamna Piracha would like to focus on both aspects: the opportunities offered by drone swarms—and how to protect against the dangers they may pose.
 
 

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A few words with … Aamna Piracha

When was the last time you discussed your research with someone outside the scientific community?
I was explaining my work to a parent at my daughter’s kindergarten—it turned into a really interesting conversation.
What is the first thing you do in the office each morning?
I have a quick chat with my colleagues, check my emails, and then get started on the day’s plan.
What makes you furious?
Injustice, lack of openness
And what calms you down?
Kindness
Do you take proper holidays? Without thinking about your work?
Yes I do and try my best to not think about work, it is very important as a parent to be present for your family without worrying about work
What are you afraid of?
Failure
What are you looking forward to?
I’m really looking forward to exploring all the beautiful places in Austria and the neighbouring countries.
Der Beitrag A challenge for swarm robotics: using multiple drones to jointly transport a package erschien zuerst auf University of Klagenfurt.