AiRMOUR presents an approach that takes on one of the most critical and challenging early real-life applications of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). AiRMOUR fills in the gaps and advances the understanding of needed near-future actions by urban communities, operators, regulators, academia, and businesses AiRMOUR is a research and innovation project supporting the development of urban air mobility, via emergency medical services, supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program.

The AiRMOUR project engages 13 following partner organizations:

AiRMOUR Outcomes

The AiRMOUR research and innovation project has conducted wide range of activities and delivered dozens of deliverables. These include, but are not limited to foresight analysis, UAM EMS functional requirements, public acceptance analyses, environmental analyses, simulations, real-life live validations, several online and on-site masterclass courses, as well as GIS tool and complete Guidebook for UAM integration.

In addition to these activities and deliverables this document highlights the large amount of new data, the new knowledge and the new state-of-the-art or more specifically a push to the state-of-the-art which has been generated by the project. On top of all of these, the most notable lessons learned by each work package during this research and innovation project are also shared in this document.

Several kinds of data, new knowledge and push to the state-of-the-art has been generated by different work packages through research, simulations, validations, workshops and stakeholder and citizen engagement. These all are described in detail in this document. These project results have been actively distributed to the various stakeholders and public through online and masterclass courses as well as through the active project dissemination, communication, and exploitation activities which are also described.

This document, the public final report, does not go extremely deep into the content and findings presented in individual project deliverables or reports. For a reader looking for maximum level of detail, it is best either to go through D6.4 Guidebook for UAM integration, which provides a relatively concise summary and roadmap of the key deliverables – or directly drill down into individual deliverables of interest themselves. All of the AiRMOUR public deliverables are available on the AiRMOUR web site airmour.eu/deliverables. Also the guidebook D6.4 is available there in 7 different languages, namely Dutch, English, Finnish, French,
German, Norwegian, and Swedish.

Read the whole Final Report here.

This report provides an understanding of how Urban Air Mobility (UAM) can be integrated into the existing urban context as well as their evolving policies.

Around 70% of Europe’s population lives in urban areas (European Court of Auditors, April 2019), traditional traffic infrastructure faces increasing challenges, particularly during peak hours and along routes to and from urban areas. The introduction of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) marks a shift into the third dimension—the airspace. AiRMOUR, a research and innovation project, focuses on exploring sustainable air mobility for emergency and medical services in urban contexts. The initial deployment of emergency and medical services using UAM has the potential to extend its benefits to other UAM service models over time. This deliverable aims to examine the insights gained from the AiRMOUR project and assess their implications for urban stakeholders and relevant policies. The project seeks to understand how the lessons learned can contribute to a more broader advancement of UAM in urban environments.

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is a concept that has the potential to revolutionize air travel, the way we move within cities, as well as transport goods. UAM has gained significant attention in recent years as a potential solution for addressing congestion and mobility challenges in metropolitan areas. (Anna Straubinger, August, 2020). UAM and or aerial vehicle concepts for passenger transportation promise a safer, more reliable, and more environmental alternative to alleviate congestion on transport networks (AirBus, 2017).

The earlier introduction of sustainable urban modes, such as cycling, carsharing, and bus rapid transport, along with the re-introduction of rail-based urban transportation like trams and light rail, has revealed that congestion is a more intricate issue. It is not solely addressed by the introduction of new means of mobility. While Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is not poised to replace most existing mobility and transportation services, the anticipation is that as the first commercial Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights for goods become operational and initial demonstrations of people transportation with electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft are showcased, UAM will become a part of the modal choice. Eventually, it is expected to contribute to co-modality and become a component of multimodal transportation.

The introduction of U-space, a traffic management system for lower airspace, coupled with the evolution of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) also known as remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) or drones, is anticipated to enhance the capacity of urban mobility and transport infrastructure.

For UAM to be a success, it will have to integrate into the wider city infrastructure. An integration that allows the provision of service levels both for personal transportation and for urban logistics. It should also offer quality and time savings over existing modes at a price point that individuals are willing to pay. For that policies and regulations have to evolve and service to be set up in ways that are acceptable to local communities. In addition, for any public authority to allow for such services, it will need to be assured that there is a real social value of UAM and a contribution to the wider socio-economic impacts.

Considering the AiRMOUR Emergency and Medical Service (EMS) use cases for which usage of UAM was validated, this deliverable tries to establish a link to present U-space and UAM regulations, strategies and future urban policies. Secondly an analysis of different urban planning practices (e.g., sustainable urban mobility plans, urban development planning) will take place. Following will also be looked at other urban social, noise and environmental policies at the urban level to allow for EMS UAM services. Therewith a multidimensional map of stakeholder interests and citizen engagement strategies that allow for public acceptance.

Based on the quantitative data collected on public acceptance, perceptions of risks, safety, noise, visual pollution and privacy, as well as the gathered qualitative feedback from the workshops organized in the frame of the AIRMOUR live validations in Helsinki, Kassel, Stavanger and Luxembourg it is possible to provide an insight on the impacts for each of relevant urban policy domains.

Read the report here.

Following consumer behavior theory, perceived risk is a multidimensional variable in user capability to adopt technologies. The definition of perceived risk in the context of the present AiRMOUR concept includes that of uncertainty about what UAM operations may provide in service and if this pays of the costs of operational implications. As from basic research, the risks arising from the public being exposed to UAM operations are not necessarily related to the objective operational risk indicated by an accident frequency and measured by a probability of fatalities or personal injuries per time.

Work package 4.2 ”Assessment and effective mitigation of perceived UAM risks and safety levels” deals with developing an understanding and means of how perceived risks can be assessed and even changed concerning its discrepancy to objective risk. The results shall be used to develop concepts on how to mitigate the perceived risks and thus increase the subjective perception of safety of the population affected by UAM services.

This work package focuses on those risks that the population is exposed by the operations of UAM:

  • performance risk
  • privacy risk
  • social risk, and
  • physical safety risk.

The risks arising from the purchase and ownership of UAM as well as psychological risks, as assumed in theory, are disregarded.

Following the examination of the perceived risk, the focus is on mitigating this risk. In general, the approach of perceived risk mitigation lies on closing the gap between actual and perceived risk through appropriate measures applied to compromised people within the context of UAM activities. The design of these measures is differentiated along the dimensions presented above in order to tackle the root cause of the perceived risk.

Objective


The objectives of Work Package 4.2 are fourfold and described as follows:

  • Identifying means to decrease the discrepancy between actual and perceived risks and safety levels. This objective focus on the concerns and the related reasons.
  • Selection of an appropriate risk perception mitigation strategy that can be tested in citizen
    focus groups organized at AiRMOUR sites. This includes the implementation of a risk
    mitigation, the data collection and the analysis.
  • The analysis shall reveal about how participants react to the different introductions and
    encounters with EMS UAM services.
  • Finally, it is objective to develop more effective perceived risk and safety mitigation strategies
    and approaches.

Read the report here.

Flying Forward 2020, AiRMOUR, and AURORA are Research and Innovation projects on Urban Air Mobility (UAM) funded by the European Commission. Their 3-year journey will come to an end soon. Collectively, they represent 34 organisations from Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden. 

Three years of work and many relevant results, tools and lessons haven now been condensed into ten joint recommendations. Of course, these do not claim nor aim to be complete: they serve to start discussions and as a call to action for the entire UAM community – regulators, industry and authorities alike. They also aim to support future endeavours in the drone and UAM field. For a deeper understanding of the basis for these recommendations, we recommend you watch the videos, use the tools and read the reports on airmour.eu, ff2020.eu and aurora-uam.eu.

Recommendations for local and regional authorities

  • 1.) Engage in early and broad cooperation on UAM issues in urban areas: already during the spatial planning stages and before the construction phase. Take UAM needs into account in the spatial planning process, including the needs of emergency medical services. Start a dialogue with UAM operators and medical sector stakeholders about their needs.
  • 2.) The impact of Urban Air Mobility is still unclear and highly dependent on regulations and operational design. Sustainable Mobility Indicators (SMI’s) are a tool to monitor the impact of UAM. City planners should use these SMI’s to investigate which parameters of the UAM system most heavily influence the performance and perception in their municipality or region. 
  • 3.) City planners and use case developers should increase awareness, knowledge and preparedness for UAM. A balance is needed between operational and societal perspectives. Real-life tests and demonstrations of UAM concepts are highly effective to help people – citizens and city officials alike – to understand and engage with UAM services. 
  • 4.) Create and maintain a pre-defined UAM landing site network as part of the openly accessible digital twin or city’s 3D models. 
  • 5.) Develop standardised drone service level agreements, including clear roles and responsibilities, to aid cities and regions to arrange high-quality public procurements for UAM services. Service level agreements help stimulate innovation and an open market.

Recommendations for EASA

  • 6.) Expand the current regulatory frameworks and enlist the support of standardization entities to support autonomous flight. Move past the current complex step-by-step approach requiring remote pilots. Autonomous flight is a key enabler for Innovative Air Services.
  • 7.) Take lessons from projects and initiatives into account when defining a regulatory framework for an experimental category of unmanned aircraft.  Stimulate innovation by allowing testing of autonomous flight-capable unmanned aircraft in realistic, urban environments during the development phase, without requiring the safety levels of commercial aviation. 
  • 8.) Accelerate the implementation of digital connectivity to aircraft. Require all aircraft operating below 150m above ground level to be electronically conspicuous (visible) with the only possible exceptions being security classed operations and operations at pre-designated locations (such as RC model airfields or parachute fields). Up-to-date information on manned and unmanned aircraft position and flight intent is essential to scaling up UAM services. 

Recommendations for UAM service providers and manufacturers

  • 9.) Mobility service providers in air and on ground should facilitate integration of vertical components (such as landing sites and their availability, aspects related to drone routing, mission management systems…) into existing conventional, surface-based smart mobility, first responders, and urgent logistics services by building system-agnostic interfaces based on open standards. Together with existing information management standards for ground and air, it will stimulate automation and thus integrate current and future surface and air services. 
  • 10.) Obtain proof of airworthiness in order to reassure customers, stimulate sales and develop real business in cities. High-volume UAM services in urban environments are likely to scale up only with SAIL IV or higher. Engage with EASA for the design verification or type certification of the complete unmanned aircraft system to remove the lack of sufficient airworthiness of UAS as an obstacle for UAM growth. 

This guidebook – translated to six languages – is designed to help city and regional decision makers, as well as Urban Air Mobility (UAM) operators, understand whether and how investing in urban air mobility is likely to provide benefits. Additionally, the intention is to present what questions and elements are involved in implementing a successful and sustainable UAM service network.

The guidebook is also relevant for other stakeholders in Europe, as it combines the four main points of view relevant to UAM: urban design and mobility; aviation safety; public acceptance and UAM integration process management.

The Foresight analysis D2.1 highlighted how past trends are not sufficient as a basis for planning the future. On the one hand, the human needs of mobility and privacy are immutable. On the other hand, both innovation and the climate crisis challenge the status quo. We also consider physical factors, such as the urban space that is available for UAM and the growing battle for energy and raw materials. We aim to offer the reader insights on the decision making and value added of UAM in general, seen through the lens of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with an expanded focus to other UAM applications where beneficial.

The UAM Integration Guidebook is a curated introduction to most AiRMOUR deliverables developed during the course of a three-year, Horizon 2020 research and innovation project with links provided for further reading. The Guidebook has been refined in discussions with pilot and replicator cities and regions and other relevant stakeholders related to the integration of UAM and EMS.

Download the Guidebook

This document is mainly intended as an internal report to the AiRMOUR consortium, summarizing the live validation events of manned UAM EMS scenarios. All findings from the validations will be summarized in D7.6, and the project final report. Hence, this report will be very brief in nature, limiting ourselves to high level details of the validation events.

The planning, preparation and execution of the live demonstration flight programs was based on the proposed objectives and the AiRMOUR project decision to use two concrete high-level EMS scenarios. The selected scenarios (as specified in WP2) were: eVTOL to “bring specialist medical personnel to the scene or a patient to the hospital”. UAS to “deliver EMS equipment or supplies to the scene or samples to a laboratory”. For each partner city we focused on one use-case as specified in Deliverable D2.2

The overall project objectives have been broken down into sub-objectives. Each sub-objective was assessed using one or several success criteria. Each success criterium is evaluated against a target value, as described in deliverable D7.1. Validation flights was only one of several tools available to evaluate the project’s success criteria. The live validation events were generally a part of validation events, with workshops focusing on getting as much data as possible through flights, simulations, table-top exercises and stakeholder interviews.

Hence, beyond the live validation of flying with drones and manned eVTOLs, this was also an opportunity to validate all AiRMOUR tools (standards, public acceptance maps, operational schemes, etc.) that were developed in the project. In addition to service as validation activities, the validation flights were also central elements to local stakeholder engagement in each of the validation locations.

Read more here.

Most routine transportation missions in the medical sector are conducted by ground transport. Ambulances have a level of priority that allows them increased efficiency in traffic and taxis are routinely used for transportation between hospitals. Emergency evacuations may be conducted by air.

Typically, evacuations from disaster areas (epidemics, natural events etc.) often call for the use of airplanes and helicopters are frequently used for mountain/remote terrain operations and urgent transportation. While airplanes operate on runway strips, necessary of consequent dimensions and almost systematically known in advance, helicopters can operate to or from areas that are more complex because unknown.

With the fast development of new capabilities, the Urban Air Mobility segment could offer to perform some missions more efficiently than current alternatives. Efficiency gains could be of time, societal or economic value. Most of those vehicles could have the capabilities to land or hover in the same manner as helicopters do yet offer some gains during the flight phase.

As with all processes, the modification of one step, here the shift from one mode of transportation to another, requires changes in the workflows, processes, trainings, and skills of the involved personnel. The objectives and success criteria of the project, whose results are shown in this document cover the entire value chain of the mission from the time the need is felt at a location to the time the need is fulfilled, and the situation is back to nominal.

Examples of such need are the low inventory of blood samples at a location that needs restocking, the emergency calls received from an operator because a person is having a heart attack in a location described over the phone or the need to relocate a human being, whether patient or doctor.

Without providing all details along the workflow, this document builds on the concept of operations defined in AiRMOUR deliverable 7.1 and leverage the findings along the project. Multiple metrics of different nature, ability to perform the mission, infrastructure, economics, environment, etc. have been formulated in D7.1 and measured in this D7.6 based on live validations, simulations and desktop research from several AiRMOUR countries.

Read the report here.

As urbanization intensifies and population ageing continues, while workforce cannot not grow with the same pace, cities worldwide are grappling with increased demands on their Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Traditional ground-based EMS face challenges related to traffic congestion, remote access, and delayed response times.

Emerging aviation technologies, known as Urban Air Mobility (UAM) or Automated Air Mobility (AAM), promise to enhance emergency medical aid delivery. However, a knowledge gap persists concerning the economic feasibility of integrating UAM into existing EMS systems, hindering decision-making for policymakers, EMS providers, and stakeholders.

This research bridges this gap by providing a comprehensive understanding of the economic, operational, and societal implications of utilizing UAM in EMS. The study identifies and quantifies the direct and indirect costs associated with UAM and traditional EMS operations, evaluates their benefits, compared safety records, discusses social and ethical implications, and provides actionable insights for potential UAM adoption.

The research concluded that both Drone EMS Delivery and eVTOL UAM EMS Operation offer promising alternatives to traditional EMS delivery and HEMS operation respectively. While the initial investment in technology and infrastructure for these services can be higher than their traditional counterparts, the operational cost per mission and per minute of flight time can be considerably lower. This is largely due to the absence of crew costs and the lower fuel consumption of drones and eVTOLs.

However, the research also highlighted several challenges, including the immaturity and less widespread implementation of the technology, issues of privacy, noise pollution, and job displacement. Despite these challenges, the cost-benefit analysis suggests that the benefits of drone EMS delivery and eVTOL UAM EMS operation could potentially outweigh the costs. As technology advances and regulatory frameworks adapt, these innovative methods of EMS delivery could revolutionize the field, providing faster, more efficient, and potentially more cost-effective solutions.

The research recommends careful planning, strategic investments, and a keen understanding of regulatory landscapes for organizations looking to invest in or integrate UAM in EMS operations. Policymakers should develop clear regulations for the use of UAM delivery drones and eVTOLs in EMS services, addressing privacy, noise pollution, and safety issues. Infrastructure and technology investments are key, and public trust in these new technologies will be paramount for their adoption.

In conclusion, the integration of UAM in EMS operations is a complex yet rewarding endeavour. It requires strategic planning, significant investments, and a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape. However, with the right approach, it can revolutionize the EMS sector, providing faster, more efficient, and potentially more cost-effective solutions.

Read the report here.

This deliverable captures the EMS scenarios’ impact on aviation and future UAM regulations.

Civilian drone operations are currently classified in three categories in Europe:

  • Open (very low risk): This category covers flights with drones which pose a low risk and therefore do not require authorization to operate. All flights are limited to stay within visual line-of-sight.
  • Specific (low to high risk): The ‘specific’ category caters for riskier operations not covered under the ‘open’ category, such as flights beyond visual line-of-sight or over people.
  • Certified (very high risk): Any human carrying operations or carriage of dangerous goods.

This deliverable addresses those three categories with the main focus on the Specific category.

Recommendations made in this document are grouped per target stakeholder: European Commission, EASA, National authorities, Cities & Regions and UAM Industry. While some stakeholders are recommended to own and lead the process, some of them are required to be involved. Of course, all parties interested in the deployment of UAM may keep themselves up to date on the development of standards and recommendations.

Read the report by Jonas Stjernberg from Robots Expert here.

In recent years, the healthcare industry has felt the impact of non-medical technologies transforming the way we deliver medical care, with one notable development being the use of drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the sector. The potential applications of drones in healthcare are vast, with one of the most significant being the transportation of medical supplies and equipment to remote or hard-to-reach areas.

Drones can provide timely and efficient delivery of medical supplies, samples, and even organs for transplant. They can also quickly transport medical professionals and patients in emergencies, allowing for rapid response times and potentially saving lives.

However, the security threat to UAVs cannot be ignored. The risks are multifaceted, involving:

  • cybersecurity threats like unauthorized access to control drones
  • data breaches leading to exposure of patient information, and
  • malware attacks that can immobilize the system.
  • Physical risks include potential tampering, vandalism, loss of cargo, and safety risks due to system failures.

These challenges are not exclusive to the healthcare industry but apply to various sectors, such as agriculture, logistics, and defence, where similar risks exist. In healthcare, the stakes are exceptionally high due to the life-saving nature of medical supplies and the time-sensitivity of deliveries.

Given the increasing use of UAVs in healthcare, addressing the security risks associated with their deployment is essential. As a project deliverable, this document by Prof. Andrei Gurtov (Linköping University) explores the potential security threats to UAVs in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) sector and analyses the associated risks.

The methodology employed includes examining the current state of cybersecurity in UAVs, identifying potential vulnerabilities through a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, and seeking insights to help stakeholders enhance the security of UAVs in the healthcare industry. By understanding these specific challenges,
stakeholders can develop robust risk mitigation strategies.

Read the report here.