A recent study conducted by the ImAFUSA team has illuminated the public’s perspectives on drones, particularly focusing on concerns regarding noise.
The ImAFUSA project research team executed a distinctive experiment in Athens, Greece, to gain a deeper understanding of public attitudes towards drone technology. The experiment comprised a psychoacoustic study and an acceptance survey of aerial services during the ImAFUSA Open Day.
Participants from vocational centres and universities in the area were invited to partake in an outdoor experiment that unfolded in three stages. The initial stage involved observing multiple drone flights, coordinated in partnership with the Acoustics Research Centre at the University of Salford (USAL) and the Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering (TUDelft) team. These “soundwalks” took place in two distinct park settings under the guidance of the Municipality of Egaleo (EGL) and Future Needs (FN), following the criteria set by the USAL researchers.
The purpose of this stage was to evaluate the perception of ambient sound scenes in the presence of drone noise, utilizing word-pair scales to gauge emotional responses as well as levels of annoyance and loudness. A drone operator from the Municipality of Egaleo also participated in the experiment.
Subsequent to the soundwalks, participants were called upon to express their perceptions of drones following exposure to the drone flights and sounds. This led to the third stage of the experiment, wherein the research team conducted a societal acceptance survey to assess citizens’ opinions on the potential utilization of drones in city operations for various purposes, including sensing, logistics, and emergencies.
Led by project coordinator Sophia Kalakou and the Business Research Unit (BRU-Iscte), the research team sought to address citizen acceptance aspects and aid local authorities in strategizing the introduction of socially embraced services. This data will contribute to the formulation of an acceptance scale to measure citizens’ reception of UAM (Urban Air Mobility) services in any city.
Through this comprehensive experiment, the ImAFUSA team has provided valuable insights into public perceptions of drone technology and its potential integration into daily life. This research will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of aerial services and addressing noise concerns associated with drones.