Control of a Remote Swarm of Drones/Robots Through a Local (Possibly Model) Swarm: Qualitative and Quantitative Issues

Drones (aerial, terrestrial, marine, underwater, etc.) are more and more widely used in both civilian and military scenario. Still, they remain complex systems for which training, operation preparation and execution of effective operations require adapted tools and support. In this paper we propose such a tool, that we call Thunderbird, based on a shadow drone that is used to control and to get feedback form a drone on an effective field of operation. In this position paper we detail a number of issues that we have identified in the design of such a tool and we describe additional problems that arise when considering not only a single drone but a swarm of possibly heterogeneous drones. We also suggest some possible ways to cope with the identified issues. We eventually present a first prototype/proof of concept that we have developed.