Dancing UAVs: Using linear programming to model movement behavior with safety requirements

In this paper we present the use of linear programming to systematically create control software for choreographed UAVs. This application requires the control of multiple UAVs where each UAV follows a predefined trajectory while simultaneously maintaining safety properties, such as keeping a safe distance between each other and geofencing. Modeling and incorporating safety requirements into the movement behavior of UAVs is the main motivation of our research. First, we describe an approach where the movement behavior of each UAV is formulated as a linear program. Second, we compare and analyze two different modeling techniques to implement the safe distance and geofencing requirements. Our approach was validated by doing experiments with Parrot Bebop UAVs. Besides being tested in the laboratory, our approach was validated in real life conditions in more than 30 performances of a dance show where five UAVs perform choreographed movements as part of the show introduction.