IBG collaborates with the University of Gävle

IBG is a company with mainly senior aviation professionals who are trusted among customers globally, moving into the emerging market of infrastructure for drone services we realize that everything is greenfield. Stakeholders are integral to new systems and have to be equally involved. Having a PhD student onboard therefore helps us with deep research work focused on this new market, exploring important facts and reflect on how to develop sustainable urban air mobility systems that can benefit municipalities and our future customers. 

Aishwarya is our PhD student and Project Engineer in collaboration with the Future Proof Cities Graduate School by the University of Gävle,Sweden.

At IBG Aishwaryas project focus on Urban Air Mobility (UAM) , and the future of air vehicles where hydrogen-powered delivery drones and drone taxis can contribute to sustainable and enviromentally friendly transport systems in urban regions and urban-enviroments.

Innovations in digitalization, Artificial Intelligence (AI), High Performance Computing (HPC) and transport take place at high speed and this technological development will sooner or later meet both needs and requirements of urban planning and urban design. This collaborative project will be at the forefront of research. The aim is that research results can serve as decision support for urban planning and technological development.

We asked Aishwarya a couple of questions what she think about the work she is doing with IBG and her research within the graduate school Future Proof Cities (FPC).

What is it like to work at IBG?
IBG is a knowledge- based company with trusted collaborations within industry as well as with academia and local regulatory bodies. People here are open to learning, and proactive to take responsibility towards customers and society. This is an advantage in my research as it allows me to be involved in real scenarios and gives me the freedom in my research to pursue unbiased knowledge for this new field, in line with what is truly good for society and business.

Which is your Responsibilities at IBG?
My responsibilities are quite varied yet come through a common point- sustainable development. As a project engineer I am involved in Urban Air Mobility implementation projects, lead the Thought Leadership campaign, and drive sustainability and corporate social responsibility. These activities are supported with the knowledge I bring in from my on-going research and learning for my PhD, as well as my background in sustainability.

Function and role within the graduate school:  
Research focus: Urban Air Mobility for Resilient Cities.

Why I have applied for a position within the graduate school:  
Because the opportunity was one of a kind. It entails pioneer work in the field and therefore it is creatively challenging. I have the responsibilty to think in lines of ensuring that innovation and necessary infrastructure is investigated and implemented such that it addresses mobility issues and enables transition towards fossil-free resilient cities. The criticality of being prepared for Urban Air Mobility in this way is what makes it exciting, as it stands in line with my own background, ideas, and research interests. 

Main reason I look forward to with the graduate school: 
The most motivating part of FPC is collaborative approach to research. There is an underlying emphasis and a mutual balance on developing transdisciplinary knowledge ’for practice’ and ’by practice’. Here, our entire doctoral team develops knowledge that holds significant societal relevance. It is a privilege to be a part of it, learn together, and cultivate solutions for a greater future. 

“The research that Aishwarya undertakes is very inspiring and we from University of Gävle have formed an inter-discplinary team of several researchers that serves Aishwarya and IBG in this field of research. “
Patrik Thollander, program director of the research school and supervisior for Aishwarya