Connecting Internet of Drones and Urban Computing: Methods, protocols and applications

Abstract

This comprehensive survey explores the connection between the Internet of Drones (IoD) and Urban Computing (UC). Drones offer substantial benefits across diverse urban applications encompassing public safety, transportation management, delivery services, and emergency response, among others. To ensure the seamless operation of these applications, efficient airspace management is imperative. Consequently, an essential foundation is to establish a communication infrastructure coupled with an accompanying supportive system that caters to drones, control bases, service providers, and the Internet. Termed the IoD, this framework facilitates drones’ control management, synchronization, coordination and monitoring of drones to attain their objectives effectively. Moreover, IoD applications are poised to propel societal advancement by aligning with the goals of UC. UC is an interdisciplinary domain to enhances human well-being by harnessing data from various sources, including the Global Positioning System (GPS), cameras, proximity sensors, and social networks. This survey thoroughly examines and analyzes multifaceted aspects underpinning how the IoD can significantly benefit UC. It encompasses applications, their requisites, design protocols specific to IoD, and the challenges inherent within this evolving realm. To the best of our knowledge, our work is one of the first studies to directly relate and show how the IoD can contribute to all UC-applications categories.