Project RuralReach
UND Center for Innovation, the UND School of Aerospace Sciences, the UND Research Institute for Autonomous Systems (RIAS), and the UND Institute for Policy and Business Analytics are working in collaboration on an effort to enhance rural living using UAS technologies. The outcomes of this effort will include a statewide economic impact study and commercialization strategy for the VANTIS network and its’ associated industry value chain with focus on rural connectivity, tribal nations and coal-impacted communities in North Dakota
Project RuralReach will execute 3 different Use Case Tests:
- Rural Delivery
- Testing UAS applications for supply chain logistics and expanding access to essential goods.
- Sustainable Power
- Exploring renewable and alternative power sources to extend the operational range of autonomous vehicles.
- Emergency/Disaster Response
- Deploying UAS for disaster response, real-time situational awareness, and resource mobilization in crisis scenarios.
“Our goal is to further position North Dakota as a national leader while enabling us to know how to revolutionize rural living through the use of uncrewed aerial systems.”
Dr. Amy Whitney, Director of UND Center for Innovation
PROJECT UPDATES
- Center for Innovation, partners complete landmark medical drone delivery trial
Project Rural Reach flight carries medical supplies from Williston, N.D., to Watford City, N.D., in just over 35 minutes - MEDIA ADVISORY: Long-range test flight to show drones’ potential to supply rural North DakotaProject Rural Reach will launch its first use-case test with a long-range drone flight, demonstrating the potential of unmanned aircraft to connect rural communities with medical goods using the Vantis system.
- Project RuralReach Takes Flight Across North Dakota
The UND Center for Innovation is thrilled to announce a major milestone for Project RuralReach, a $1 million initiative funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and led by the University of North Dakota.
project lead
