A Compiler Framework for Proactive UAV Regulation Enforcement

In the rapidly evolving landscape of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), regulation enforcement is critical. Un- fortunately, existing practices are largely manual and reactive in nature. We present THEMIS1, a novel compiler-directed approach for automated and proactive regulation enforcement. By expressing regulations through a specification language and integrating their enforcement into the compilation process, THEMIS enables safe and regulation-compliant UAV flights by enforcing prohibited and restricted areas, avoiding flights over humans, and managing maximum limits of altitude and speed. Our framework features a bidirectional interface that allows the concrete algorithms used for enforcement to be customized. Our evaluation shows THEMIS-compiled autopilots can adhere to regulatory constraints amidst complex flight conditions, while significantly reducing the burden of UAV operators.