IoT Data communications, a Glue that Bonds Unmanned Systems, AI/ML, and Environmental Security

Abstract:

We briefly explore several cases where environmental security concerns are addressed with unmanned systems. Each case reveals the need for a common data communications architecture. Further, there exists a geographic constraint that ultimately governs whether a use case may be applied in given location depending on the available data communications infrastructure.

Unmanned, potentially autonomous systems improve capabilities for overcoming industrial and environmental challenges associated with growing populations and changing climate. Climate change is compounding air and water concerns, forming an increasing security concern - environmental security. Environmental security focuses our attention towards our Homeland as we adapt to secure supply chains, infrastructure, natural resources and public health. As a case in point, the COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest example of compromised environmental security in modern times, mitigated in the absence of a vaccine only through cooperative public engagement with geospatial intelligence.

The use of unmanned systems is perhaps more important to understanding environmental security concerns than for any other purpose. Emerging technology permits interoperable, multi-domain, unmanned and autonomous systems equipped with sensors to aggregate and process data in near real time. The systems employed by such technology are functionally intelligence platforms in that they may acquire data, create information, and develop knowledge near the Edge to support their mission. Despite the attention given to autonomy and artificial intelligence, successful integration of unmanned systems and AI/ML falls upon data communications. Join us as we explore the emerging role of industrial Internet-of-Things communications protocols in the geosciences.