Autonomous UAVs and Aerial IoT Systems

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are rapidly transforming Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems by introducing mobility, autonomy, and adaptive intelligence into sensing, communication, and computing infrastructures. As aerial platforms equipped with advanced sensors, onboard processors, and wireless communication modules, UAVs act as intelligent mobile IoT agents, capable of extending network coverage, enabling real-time data acquisition, and supporting mission-critical services in dynamic and large-scale environments.

This special session focuses on autonomous UAV systems and their integration into aerial IoT architectures, where artificial intelligence enables perception, decision-making, learning, and cooperative control. Particular emphasis is placed on distributed and collective intelligence, allowing multiple UAVs and ground IoT devices to collaborate efficiently through decentralized coordination, edge computing, and adaptive networking. Such systems are essential for applications requiring scalability, resilience, and real-time responsiveness.

The session aims to bring together researchers and practitioners working at the intersection of UAV autonomy, AI, and IoT, covering both theoretical foundations and practical implementations. Contributions addressing algorithmic developments, system architectures, communication frameworks, and real-world deployments are highly encouraged. By fostering interdisciplinary discussions, this session seeks to advance the state of the art in autonomous aerial IoT systems and highlight their role in next-generation intelligent environments.

Topics of interest:
The special section seeks original contribution in, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Autonomous Guidance, Navigation, and Control of UAVs
• AI-Enabled Perception and Decision-Making for UAV Systems
• UAV Swarms and Multi-Agent Coordination
• Aerial IoT Architectures and UAV-Assisted Sensing Networks
• Distributed and Federated Learning for UAV Networks
• Edge Computing and Cloud Integration for UAV-Based IoT
• UAV Communication Systems (UAV-to-UAV, UAV-to-Infrastructure)
• Cooperative UAV–Ground IoT Systems
• Real-Time Path Planning, Task Allocation, and Mission Management
• Resilience, Fault Tolerance, and Robustness in UAV IoT Systems
• Security, Privacy, and Safety in Autonomous UAV Operations
• Applications in Smart Cities, Environmental Monitoring, Agriculture, and Disaster Response

Session Co-chairs:

• Dr. Nguyen Xuan Mung, Sejong University, South Korea

Important dates: As of the main tracks
Contact: Dr. Nguyen Xuan Mung (xuanmung@sejong.ac.kr)