Wearable Technologies for Driving Drones: Innovations and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

The integration of wearable technology with drone control systems represents a significant leap forward in the interaction between humans and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This fusion enables more precise, intuitive, and immersive control of drones, enhancing the overall user experience. Wearable devices, such as smart gloves, augmented reality (AR) glasses, and haptic feedback systems, have the potential to revolutionize the way drones are piloted and operated across various applications. As both wearable technology and UAV systems evolve, this convergence opens new avenues for innovation in fields ranging from remote teleoperation to complex drone maneuvers. Understanding and advancing this synergy is critical for improving operational efficiency, safety, and the range of practical applications.

The fusion of wearable technology with drone control systems marks a revolutionary advancement in our engagement with uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). This synergy between state-of-the-art wearables and advanced drone technologies promises unparalleled control, accuracy, and immersive interaction.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect papers (original research articles and review papers) that provide deep insights into the integration of wearable technologies with drone control systems. This Issue aims to showcase pioneering research, technological innovations, and real-world applications in this interdisciplinary field. By exploring the latest advancements in wearable interfaces, human–drone interaction, bio-sensing, and feedback mechanisms, this Special Issue seeks to highlight the transformative potential of these technologies across a wide range of domains. Through these contributions, the Issue will enhance understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and future directions in wearable-driven drone control, directly aligning with the journal's focus on technological innovation, human–computer interaction, and robotics.

We invite submissions that comprehensively examine the multifaceted aspects of this convergence, encompassing topics such as the following:

• Wearable Interfaces for Drone Control: Innovations in wearable devices, such as intelligent gloves, VR headsets, AR glasses, and haptic suits, are designed to enhance the drone piloting experience.
• Human–Drone Interaction: Studies on improving the interaction between humans and drones through wearable technology, focusing on intuitive control mechanisms and feedback systems.
• Augmented and Virtual Reality Applications: The use of AR and VR technologies to provide immersive experiences for drone operators, enhance situational awareness, and facilitate complex drone maneuvers.
• Bio-Sensing and Gesture Control: Development of bio-sensing technologies and gesture recognition systems that enable seamless and natural drone control.
• Haptic Feedback Systems: Innovations in haptic feedback that provide tactile responses to drone pilots, improving control precision and operational safety.
• Teleoperation and Remote Control: Advances in teleoperation using wearables, enabling operators to control drones from a distance with high fidelity and low latency.
• Safety and Ergonomics: Research on the safety, usability, and ergonomic aspects of wearables for drone control, ensuring operator comfort and reducing fatigue.
• Applications in Various Domains: Case studies and applications of wearable-controlled drones in fields such as search and rescue, agriculture, industrial inspection, entertainment, and logistics.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Prof. Dr. Cristian Randieri
Dr. Andrea Tortorelli
Prof. Dr. Bojan Jerbić
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Drones is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• wearable technology
• drone control systems
• human–drone interaction
• bio-sensing
• gesture recognition
• haptic feedback
• robotics
• augmented reality (AR)
• virtual reality (VR)
• ergonomics in drone piloting