Smarter Drones, Smarter Sensing: AI-Driven Dynamic Path Planning

What if a drone could decide where to go next based on what it still doesn’t know? Traditional mobile sensing often relies on rigid, predefined routes—systematic back-and-forth sweeps, fixed waypoints, or random walks. But real-world environments are complex, dynamic, and uneven. The most critical data rarely sits neatly along a predefined path. Join us at SmartAvatar B.V. for a session with Dr. Damla Turgut, Pegasus Professor and Chair of Computer Science at the University of Central Florida (UCF), as she presents Confidence Guided Path-planning (CGP). This AI-driven approach enables mobile sensors and autonomous drones to identify where uncertainty is highest and dynamically navigate toward the areas where new data can provide the greatest value. Instead of simply asking: “Where should the sensor go next?” CGP asks a more powerful question: “Where are we least confident about what we know?” Using a Gaussian Process Regressor, the system continuously models environmental conditions while estimating its own level of uncertainty. That uncertainty then acts as an intelligent guide, helping transform passive data collectors into adaptive autonomous systems capable of making informed navigation decisions in real time. Why This Matters The rapid convergence of lightweight aerial robotics and modern artificial intelligence is opening new possibilities for environmental monitoring, precision mapping, digital twins, and autonomous sensing. AI-powered dynamic path planning can help autonomous sensors: • Accelerate Discovery: Gather useful environmental information more efficiently. • Reduce Redundancy: Avoid unnecessary exploration and conserve energy and battery life. • Respond in Real Time: Adapt dynamically to changing conditions and environmental anomalies. • Optimize Coverage: Direct sensors toward areas where uncertainty is highest. • Advance Autonomous Decision-Making: Move beyond static path execution toward intelligent, adaptive exploration. Dr. Turgut will also present experimental results comparing CGP with conventional lawnmower-style survey patterns and random waypoint methods. What You’ll Learn • The limitations and inefficiencies of traditional robotics and drone path-planning approaches. • How AI and Gaussian Processes support real-time environmental modeling. • The mathematical and algorithmic foundations of Confidence Guided Path-planning (CGP). • Experimental performance results comparing CGP with systematic and random exploration methods. • Future directions in autonomous sensing, digital twins, and edge intelligence. • Insights from live Q&A and networking with researchers, industry professionals, and AI innovators. Who Should Attend? This session is relevant to researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, students, and technology leaders working in or interested in: • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning • Robotics, Drones & Autonomous Systems • IoT, Sensor Networks & Mobile Computing • Digital Twins, Smart Cities & Environmental Monitoring • Applied Data Science & Spatial Decision Systems About the Speaker Dr. Damla Turgut is a Pegasus Professor and Chair of Computer Science at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where she also co-directs the AI Things Laboratory. Her research spans wireless and sensor networks, edge and cloud computing, smart cities, IoT-enabled healthcare, augmented reality, vehicular and underwater networks, and privacy in the Internet of Things. She has held visiting researcher positions at Sapienza University of Rome, Imperial College London, and KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Dr. Turgut serves as Editor-in-Chief of Computer Communications, IEEE Communications Society Distinguished Lecturer, IEEE ComSoc Women in Engineering Distinguished Lecturer, ACM Senior Member, IEEE Senior Member, Chair of the IEEE Computer Society Technical Activities Committee, Chair of the IEEE Technical Community on Computer Communications, and a Member of the IEEE Computer Society Board of Governors for 2025–2027. About the Host: SmartAvatar B.V. SmartAvatar B.V. is a deep-tech company working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, next-generation connectivity, and immersive virtual environments. Working closely with leading academic researchers, including Dr. Damla Turgut, SmartAvatar helps bridge advanced scientific research with real-world industry applications. • European Research & Innovation: SmartAvatar contributes to multiple European Union-funded research and innovation projects spanning 6G networks, Digital Twins, Virtual World Testbeds, Zero-Trust Security, and MetaCities.Learn more: https://smartavatar.nl/eu-project • Native AI Solutions: Beyond research, SmartAvatar develops and operates production-grade, AI-native SaaS platforms delivering intelligent solutions across employment, legal technology, healthcare, and advanced AI training. Event Logistics • Venue: SmartAvatar B.V. Headquarters (Insert Street Address, City, Netherlands) • Date & Time: (Insert Date & Time) • Format: In-Person Presentation + Q&A + Networking Reception • Admission: Free — registration required; limited capacity Seats are limited to support an interactive discussion and meaningful networking experience. Reserve your spot today.