Jim Scanlan

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About

Jim Scanlan is a leading researcher in the field of robotics and autonomous systems (RAS), with a particular focus on the human factors and operational challenges of uncrewed air systems (UAS). His work critically examines the interface between human operators and autonomous technology, especially during high-stakes handover events where control shifts between automated and piloted modes. In his most-cited paper, a 2024 systematic literature review on handover challenges for UAS logistics, he synthesizes key human factors issues that must be addressed to safely integrate autonomous delivery drones into real-world supply chains—a work that has already garnered 13 citations shortly after publication. Scanlan also contributed to the influential UK-RAS White Paper on resilient infrastructure, which outlines a visionary roadmap for deploying RAS in critical national systems, identifying both the transformative potential and the current barriers to adoption. Through these contributions, Scanlan is helping to shape the safe, effective, and human-centered deployment of autonomous systems in logistics and infrastructure, making his research essential reading for engineers and policymakers navigating the future of automation.