Qualcomm helps UT moving forward with Non-Terrestrial 5G Researcha nd Education

We are proud to announce that Qualcomm will help the UT edge closer to Autonomous Aerial Networks. Qualcomm has, in fact, donated a powerful Modal-AI drone with an AI-capable 5G modem to support advanced research in aerial and non-terrestrial networks using 5G and beyond.

This donation opens the door to a wide range of research opportunities: from drone-based communication systems and AI-driven network management to exploring how non-terrestrial platforms can extend reliable connectivity to hard-to-reach areas. These are the kinds of challenges that will define the next chapter of wireless technology, and our research community is now better equipped to tackle them.

For our students, this means access to State-of-Art equipment. Working with this equipment will give them practical, hands-on experience that complements their academic training and better prepares them for careers in telecommunications, aerospace, and AI.

This equipment will help both the Pervasive Systems Research group, embedded in the Edge Research Centre and the Drone Centre at the UT driving further excellent research and education. Alessandro Chiumento and Francesco Nex will lead the initiatives in both domains.

We are grateful to the Qualcomm University Relation Program for making this contribution possible, which reflects a shared commitment to advancing knowledge and nurturing talent. Industry-academia collaborations like this benefit not just our campus, but the broader research community working toward the future of connected systems. We believe this is the first step in fruitful long-lasting cooperation. We are particularly grateful to the Qualcomm URP team and dr. Yann Lebrun for his help in strongly supporting this initiative internally. 

Stay tuned for updates on the exciting research to come.