CURPAS e.V. successfully completes project "UFO"
The project "Unmanned Flight Systems as Optimization Tools" (Acronym UFO) initiated by CURPAS e.V. in November 2020 was successfully completed on 30.04.2021. UFO was funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Energy (MWAE) with funds from the European Social Fund and the State of Brandenburg. The project is part of the "Promoting Social Innovations in the State of Brandenburg" program of the Economic Development Agency Brandenburg (WFBB), and it makes a significant contribution to the qualification of skilled workers and companies in the digital labour market. www.ufo-brandenburg.de
Due to the spread and advancement of digitalization, many employees are confronted with new technologies and tasks. Drones are already being used as essential tools in many industries, such as inspections of roof surfaces, wind turbines or pipelines, and the detection of pest infestation or water shortages in agriculture and forestry.
The possibilities for the use of drones are manifold. However, the current training system is barely able to keep up with this range of new technologies. No special training or training courses are offered for the use of drones in real-world operations or for the planning and execution of specific missions. However, in many areas, specific knowledge is required to operate a drone safely, according to the rules, and in a situation-specific manner.
This is where the project "UFO" initiated by CURPAS e.V. comes in to fill in the gaps, as it focuses on further education and training for the professional use of drones.
The project has aimed to contribute to the efficient use of unmanned aerial systems by designing target-group-oriented training measures. In addition to the training of pilots and the teaching of legal and technical basics, UFO includes acquiring specific process-relevant data and its evaluation with suitable software. Throughout the project, extensive interviews were conducted with various target groups, such as business enterprises, organizations or associations. Based on the results, CURPAS received an accurate picture of the present status of affairs and an overview of existing wishes and possible improvements.
The survey participants came from different fields such as continuing education and training, research and development, and public administration or associations. They ranged from professional drone users to total beginners with the technology. With the use of the questionnaires, CURPAS developed a concept for practical continuing education and training for various industries. Additionally, CURPAS investigated the integration of new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality and other simulation tools to the work practice.
The training is to be expanded from basic modules through (simulation-based) subject-specific modules. This ensures the effective and safe use of drones and enables companies to integrate the collected data into their business processes efficiently. Furthermore, this would allow businesses to meet the requirements of a digital labour market and to secure well-trained professionals in the context of social innovation. Thus, UFO is ultimately intended to contribute to the further expansion of a modern employment policy of the state of Brandenburg.
Strong partners for successful implementation
In the course of the project, numerous partners joined for cooperation. These include TITUS Research GmbH as a technology, innovation and test centre for unmanned autonomous systems and AuG Kiel, which has expertise in professional support in HSE management (Health, Safety, Environment) for drone use with on/offshore wind turbines. Our other partners include the Academy of Engineers, acting as a platform for further education and training in the construction sector, and WBS Training as a major German training provider, and the Cottbus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK). At the international level, UAS Denmark should be mentioned as a drone test center, among with UAVO - the forestry training center in Poland.
Based on the information obtained, another project will soon follow up. CURPAS and its partners intend to develop concrete training modules for further education and advanced training of specialists.
Further information on the UFO project is available at:
www.ufo-brandenburg.de
www.curpas.de
About CURPAS
The project was carried out by CURPAS e.V., an association founded in 2016 and dedicated to promoting civil use, development and research of unmanned systems, with the current focus on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Today, the association has more than 65 members, consisting of users, manufacturers and scientific institutions from the field of unmanned systems (on land, air and water). Recently CURPAS also initiated the emergence of an innovative association, which will promote cooperation and further advance European projects in the field of autonomous systems. The CURPAS network, funded by the state of Brandenburg, has already established itself as an important platform, and the CURPAS Academy is successfully developing all aspects of training related to the drone systems (for more information, see http://www.curpas.de).