Omnidrome Research and Innovation Centre plays an important role in Royal Holloway’s challenge-led research, innovation, and education strategy.
A key aim is to attract and develop research funding, impact and partnership opportunities across our schools and departments at the university and beyond.
We look forward to nurturing a diverse and multidisciplinary community of researchers, educators and technical experts with interests in R&D and application of drone technology.
Our academic researchers have extensive experience and expertise in air, land, water-based drone technology and monitoring, robotics and AI of autonomous vehicles. Current research includes drone hardware and sensor equipment, software and cyber security, and geospatial monitoring and analysis of natural and man-made environments.
Find out more below.
Departments of Computer Sciences, Information Security and Electronic Engineering
- Research in robotics, artificial intelligence, and information security of autonomous vehicles is led by these three departments at Royal Holloway, where world-leading researchers collaborate together under the research theme of ‘Transformative Digital Technologies, Security and Society’.
- Also involved are the Digital Organisation and Society management centre, the Smart Card and IoT centre, as well as specialist groups in AI, Machine learning, and robotics. Drone-related research includes, for example, the autonomous exploration and surveying in mines and confined spaces as part of disaster response.
Departments of Physics and Electronic Engineering
- The Physics and Electronic Engineering departments are supporting Omnidrome research with their extensive experience and expertise in the development of sensor technology and robotics within the relevant technology laboratories and mechanical workshops.
Department of Biological Sciences
- Ecological monitoring in the Department of Biological Sciences includes faunal population studies, habitat surveys and animal behaviour studies.
Department of Earth Sciences
- Geospatial research in the Department of Earth Sciences utilises 3D photogrammetry and LiDAR application for topographic, geomorphological and geological mapping and environmental monitoring. Current research includes geological mapping and structural/stratigraphic outcrop analysis, as well as pollution monitoring, greenhouse gas monitoring from natural and human sources including detection and tracking contamination/leaks (Greenhouse Gas Research Group).
Department of Geography
- Geospatial research in the Department of Geography utilises 3D photogrammetry and LiDAR application for topographic, geomorphological and geological mapping. Current research includes modern and palaeoglacier modelling and geomorphological mapping.
Department of Health Studies
- Environmental monitoring in the Department of Health Studies include rapid litter assessments and pollution monitoring, and monitoring of agricultural and agroforestry systems.
Department of Psychology
- Research in the Department of Psychology on interfaces and interaction of humans and technology studies how virtual drone interfaces shape human interaction and perception of the environment, as well as their sensory and behavioural responses to technical interfaces.
Department of Media Arts
- Drone-related research and education in the Department of Media Arts ranges from drone videography and drone cinematography to all aspects of documentary filmmaking.
