From Research to Real-World Impact: My Journey at Skyfarer

Picture: P.W. Manta

Working on my PhD research often feels like navigating complex equations in mid-air. However, joining Skyfarer brought a completely new dimension to my academic journey.

As a PhD candidate at Coventry University’s Research Centre for Computational Science & Mathematical Modelling (CSM) and a Systems Engineer here at Skyfarer, I am discovering how academia and industry can fuel each other in powerful ways.

My PhD research focuses on adaptive control strategies for drones, particularly on how they respond to motor faults. It ensures that drones remain safe, stable, and mission-capable under real-world conditions. I had the opportunity to publish this work at the Modelling, Estimation, and Control Conference 2024 in the United States. You can read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/e3gugwiv.

At Skyfarer, I test these adaptive control strategies in operational settings, closing the loop between lab simulations and flight-ready solutions, a synergy that strengthens both the research and the technology. Some of my responsibilities include analysing flight data to extract performance insights and producing sustainability reports for stakeholders. I also optimise drone delivery and management systems to enhance overall efficiency and reliability.

Bridging Academia and Industry

By pursuing my PhD research while working at Skyfarer, I have had the opportunity to bring academic insights directly into industry, and vice versa. This collaboration is invaluable, not just for the immediate projects, but for building a future where research is tightly integrated with industry challenges.

The insights I gain from drone operations help refine my experiments and theoretical models. Conversely, my academic rigour and control theory contribute to safer, more efficient systems in practice. I firmly believe that strong bridges between academia and industry are essential for fuelling innovation and ensuring research makes tangible differences in the world. As I look to the future, I am excited to see how UAV applications will evolve, and I am eager to be both a researcher and practitioner in that evolution.

Balancing Two Worlds: A Message to Future Innovators

To any students out there wondering if it is possible to balance academic ambitions with a role at fast-paced start-ups, it is, and it’s incredibly rewarding. At Skyfarer, I found a space where both can thrive, where passion meets purpose, and where research takes flight. The experiences I gained between my PhD research and industrial work fuelled both sides of my journey. What I have learned in the lab had real applications in the field, and what I encounter in drone operations directly fed back into my research. This feedback loop not only made me a better researcher but also a more innovative engineer.

If you are a student or researcher considering a leap into industry, I encourage you to explore it. The world needs more people who can build bridges between theory and practice, between research papers and impact. If you are someone interested in pushing drone technology, I would love to connect. At Skyfarer, we are not just flying drones, we are building the future of logistics, healthcare, and innovation, and we need more hands on deck.

All the best,
Ahsan