Comparative Review of Drone Simulators
Authors: Nikolaiev Mykola , Novotarskyi Mykhailo 
Published: October 2024

The rapid development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), particularly drones, has revolutionized various sectors, including agriculture, mapping, search and rescue operations and more. There is an urgent need for simulation environments to develop algorithms for complex trajectory evolutions in tasks like package delivery and environmental monitoring, to avoid the significant risks associated with real-world testing. One of the primary challenges in UAV research is the diversity and fragmentation of available simulation tools, complicating the selection of appropriate simulators for specific practical tasks. Researchers must balance trade-offs such as simulation speed, the accuracy of physical law emulation, sensor integration, and user interface quality. The absence of a universal simulator that includes high-fidelity physics, comprehensive sensor modeling, and scalability for drone swarm simulations is a significant issue. Known UAV simulators have certain advantages and disadvantages, but none provide a comprehensive solution to meet all the requirements for modern research and development. Integrating various sensors, such as cameras, LiDAR, GPS, and IMUs, into simulation systems remains a technical challenge, limiting the applicability of existing simulators. Additionally, the availability and support infrastructure for effective simulators can vary significantly, impacting their adoption and sustainability. Therefore, the main problem is the lack of a universal simulator that meets the diverse and specific needs of UAV research and development. A standardized approach to UAV simulation could improve the comparability of research results, simplify selection efforts, and create a unified basis for evaluating simulator performance. Advances in aerodynamic modeling, especially for quadcopters and fixed-wing UAVs, could enhance simulation accuracy and realism, better supporting the development of advanced technologies. Future research aims to develop more comprehensive, high-fidelity, and scalable simulation environments. This involves integrating innovative sensor modeling approaches, improving swarm dynamics modeling, and enhancing user accessibility and support. Key areas for improvement include sensor integration to model a wide range of sensors, improving swarm dynamics simulation to effectively model complex behaviors and interactions among multiple drones, simplifying user interfaces, providing comprehensive documentation, ensuring robust community support, developing standardized criteria for comparing and evaluating different simulators, and incorporating detailed aerodynamic principles to enhance simulation accuracy. Addressing these issues in the development of UAV simulators is crucial for advancing aerial robotics. Developing simulation environments with integrated advanced sensor capabilities, improved swarm dynamics modeling, and user-friendly interfaces can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of UAV development. Standardized evaluation criteria and detailed aerodynamic modeling will support the evolution of UAV technologies, ensuring safer, more reliable, and innovative applications across various sectors. These enhancements will foster innovation, technological progress, and operational efficiency in real-world conditions.