Towards ‘Embodied Energy’: Coordinated Flight and Energy Management of Hydrogen-Hybrid UAVs

Abstract: With the global initiative towards low-altitude economy and carbon neutrality, the hydrogen-battery hybrid energy system has emerged as a promising solution for long-endurance flight with characteristics including high energy density, strong dynamic response, and zero carbon emissions. This report focuses on enabling safe and autonomous flight of hydrogen-powered UAVs in complex environments via integrated management of the flight and energy subsystems, and application of hydrogen-powered UAVs in low-altitude applications such as aerial logistics and aerial monitoring. Finally, perspectives on bio-inspired ‘embodied energy’ robotic systems, such as the ‘Polar-hydrogen 1’, the first reported hydrogen-powered aircraft to fly in Antarctica, is introduced.

Xiaoyu Guo is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at City University of Hong Kong. He received his B.Eng. degree from Beihang University, his M.Phil. (with Distinction) from the University of Cambridge, and his Ph.D. from the University of Manchester. He is a recipient of the First Award (innovation) of China Association of Invention, Gold Award at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, and the Grand Award at the Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions. He has published over 50 papers in international journals including Nature Communications, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, and IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, and has been granted over 30 invention patents. He currently serves as associate editor for IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems, and Unmanned Systems. His research interests include sustainable robotic systems and bio-inspired sensing and control.