Sophomore Scholar explores drone technology to expand internet connectivity in remote areas
Sophomore Scholar explores drone technology to expand internet connectivity in remote areas
Publish Date: 2026-06-30 09:06:00
Source Domain: www.kennesaw.edu
KENNESAW, Ga. |
Jun 30, 2026
Drew Haase
Imagine a network of sensors spread across a remote farm, collecting data about soil
conditions and water levels. Now imagine those sensors are miles from reliable internet
access.
For Kennesaw State University student Drew Haase, solving that communication challenge
is the focus of research that could help connect hard-to-reach locations using unmanned
aerial vehicles.
The sophomore electrical engineering student in KSU’s Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology is conducting research through the Sophomore Scholars Program on a project titled “UAV-Internet of Remote Things (UAV-IoRT)” under the guidance of Professor of Electrical Engineering Sumit Chakravarty. The project explores how unmanned aerial vehicles can strengthen wireless communication in remote and infrastructure-limited environments.
“Our solution is having a UAV or drone go out and collect the data and charge those devices as well, then bring it back so we can upload it to the cloud, where that information is easily accessed,” Haase said.
The system uses drones as mobile communication platforms that travel between ground-based
sensors and a central network hub. Along the way, the UAV collects information from
remote devices, wirelessly transfers energy to keep them operational, and returns
the data for users to access through cloud-based applications.
One of the project’s primary applications is in agriculture, where sensors…
