Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), based in Benguerir, is developing two drone technologies that could make aircraft more energy-efficient and let them navigate without constant human control, 7News Morocco reports. Details were published in research opportunities on the EURAXESS platform on November 6. The two projects aim to improve drone performance and support their use in industrial settings.
The first project focuses on wings inspired by birds and bats, designed to change shape during flight to improve aerodynamics and reduce energy use. Researchers plan to build prototypes using lightweight composite materials, computer-designed structures and 3D-printed parts, which will then undergo wind tunnel experiments, vibration and fatigue tests, and flight trials to assess performance and durability.
The project aims to produce a prototype reaching Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5, meaning the technology will have been tested and validated in an environment reflecting real operating conditions. The research is also expected to produce three scientific papers and contribute to a patent.
The second project focuses on drones that can navigate and respond to their surroundings using AI, combining machine learning, computer vision and data from several sensors. It also includes digital twins, virtual models that reproduce how physical drones operate. Using flight data, they will monitor equipment, assess performance and predict possible technical failures, with some processing done on board to analyze information more quickly.
Tests are planned at UM6P and at facilities operated by the OCP Group. The second project aims for a demonstrator at TRL 6, tested in conditions similar to industrial operations, and researchers will develop a digital platform to organize missions and collect data. Applications could include industrial inspection, infrastructure monitoring and mining, with autonomous drones inspecting facilities and mapping extraction areas with less human intervention.
