Senior Industrial Design Thesis: Multiple UAV's

[Marrocco]

Hello-
I am new to this forum, and am hoping to get some advice, feedback, insight for my senior design thesis on UAV's. My concept is basically a swarm(20+) of mini/micro UAV's that can be grouped, aligned, and controlled via the remote, but also can talk to eachother in "autopilot" so crashes can be avoided an more ground can ultimately be covered. The theme of the project is Discovery Channel Documentaries - namely, "Planet Earth" as inspiration. I want to create a project around using unmanned vehicles to:
-get more intimate shots without impeding on nature
-create a safer environment for both the animals and the photo/videographer
-decrease the overall carbon footprint of creating nature-based documentarys by sending in quiet, efficient, electric(?) machines to get footage.
-Never-before-seen footage will be possible: picture a group of UAV's flying side by side a flock of geese...a traditional heli would never even get close.

Anyway, just wanted to create some awareness of my cause, and hopefully I'll be able to post some process sketches for critique. I need to do more research before I have a concrete list of questions...so expect some soon. Thanks in advance-

Matt Marrocco

[airmcn_3]

Hello-
I am new to this forum, and am hoping to get some advice, feedback, insight for my senior design thesis on UAV's. My concept is basically a swarm(20+) of mini/micro UAV's that can be grouped, aligned, and controlled via the remote, but also can talk to eachother in "autopilot" so crashes can be avoided an more ground can ultimately be covered. The theme of the project is Discovery Channel Documentaries - namely, "Planet Earth" as inspiration. I want to create a project around using unmanned vehicles to:
-get more intimate shots without impeding on nature
-create a safer environment for both the animals and the photo/videographer
-decrease the overall carbon footprint of creating nature-based documentarys by sending in quiet, efficient, electric(?) machines to get footage.
-Never-before-seen footage will be possible: picture a group of UAV's flying side by side a flock of geese...a traditional heli would never even get close.

Anyway, just wanted to create some awareness of my cause, and hopefully I'll be able to post some process sketches for critique. I need to do more research before I have a concrete list of questions...so expect some soon. Thanks in advance-

Matt Marrocco


Matt,

Welcome to RCG!

I can tell you from experience, on more then one occasion during tuning flights of our UAV there were a flock of geese flying in formation at or around our altitude level, when the aircraft which is a 1m flying wing got within 25m of them they changed direction immediately. Our aircraft can not be heard from 75m up so the noise is rather low as well.

What I am getting at is the approach to fly next to animals will need to be looked at very closely. You will also need to look at some type of on point targeting, something that can track and follow the intended targets. Ultrasonic or IR will be needed to keep your distance to avoid a midair of any type. Sounds like a fun project; if you succeed you will have one very sophisticated UAV.

Good luck on your project.

Chris

[Marrocco]

Thanks! This is exactly the stuff I need to hear....it's hard having never used one(i plan to for my research, however) and only knowing the basics of what makes one work. I am interested in the Draganfly, due to it's vertical hover, and minimalistic form factor.
I would like to make a working model, but don't know if it will be feasible. Only an aesthetic model is required. I originally was going to do a concept similar to this, but it involved the UAV's being able to smell biochemical warfare, radiation, etc. in warzones before the soldiers advance. My instructor advised me that something involoving war zones may not be the best idea, although he liked it.

Some ?'s off of the top of my head:
-how is the battery life measured? In minutes of flight time?
-Are lithium ions better than traditional fuel? A trade-off of advantages and disadvantages?

[Marrocco]

Also I need a good example of the package of parts necessary to make this work that I can build around.

[airmcn_3]

Thanks! This is exactly the stuff I need to hear....it's hard having never used one(i plan to for my research, however) and only knowing the basics of what makes one work. I am interested in the Draganfly, due to it's vertical hover, and minimalistic form factor.
I would like to make a working model, but don't know if it will be feasible. Only an aesthetic model is required. I originally was going to do a concept similar to this, but it involved the UAV's being able to smell biochemical warfare, radiation, etc. in warzones before the soldiers advance. My instructor advised me that something involoving war zones may not be the best idea, although he liked it.

Some ?'s off of the top of my head:
-how is the battery life measured? In minutes of flight time?
-Are lithium ions better than traditional fuel? A trade-off of advantages and disadvantages?

Marrocco

I am not saying I know it all so please take it with a grain of salt, I am in the business and will leave it at that.

Are you looking to build an airplane or a VTOL aircraft like a Quadrocopter? If you are looking for a Quadrocopter then this will be a good read for you. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=885325&highlight=Quad+copter

Keep in mind a chopper type aircraft will make your dream of flying with the birds considerably harder.

If you are building an airplane as you may know there are almost too may options.

Batt. life is measured by voltage and MAH.
Lithium Polymers are cleaner and a bit easier but by no way lb for lb use the "fuel" better then a conventional IC motor.

Given you are in a primarily electric forum many will probably advise electric. You may find e-power is a bit simpler and has a few less issues when it comes to vibrations and noise.

As for a package, until you get your mind set on an airframe type it will be hard to recommend anything for you. I would suggest starting with something simple. You have not told us your RC background so again it is hard to recommend an airframe as well.

Cheers,

Chris

[Connexxion]

Matt,

you might be better off with a lookalike rc bird.

I recall a clip on Youtube of a giant rc seagull made by a dutch guy.

The idea of flying with birds is something I've been thinking of for a long time,so I guess I'll keep track of your findings ;)

Here's an eagle flying manually:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w0AKEc68XA

[Marrocco]

thanks all for the terrific feedback! Some background:
I have almost no RC background whatsoever, but am willing to learn as much as I can to make my project "believable." When I say believable, I mean a working model is not required, although would definitely help illustrate my idea. I however do not think that with all the work involved I will have time to fumble through creating something that flies-especially for my first time.
I can see that close-up footage of a bird flying may be a little too unrealistic from the responses I've gotten...I just saw it in my head as an awesome rendering. As an industrial design student, we are rarely required to make something work...it is more our idea, though process, and hard skills(sketching/rendering) that gets evaluated. Thanks again, guys.

[airmcn_3]

thanks all for the terrific feedback! Some background:
I have almost no RC background whatsoever, but am willing to learn as much as I can to make my project "believable." When I say believable, I mean a working model is not required, although would definitely help illustrate my idea. I however do not think that with all the work involved I will have time to fumble through creating something that flies-especially for my first time.
I can see that close-up footage of a bird flying may be a little too unrealistic from the responses I've gotten...I just saw it in my head as an awesome rendering. As an industrial design student, we are rarely required to make something work...it is more our idea, though process, and hard skills(sketching/rendering) that gets evaluated. Thanks again, guys.

Marrocco,

Don’t give up, there are many possibilities out there and most of them have already been done. Your idea is a good one and may have a lot of validity, why don’t you look into some type of HD zoom able camera? You could control the zoom function via a transmitter and record video on board; this will give you a good amount of space between the aircraft and the flock of birds.

You may want to go buy Real Flight G4.5 simulator, this will get you good enough to fly your first RC flight. Given you have little to no experience you should start out with something like a high wing trainer, you can also use this aircraft for your autonomous test platform.

Again good luck with your adventure.

Chris

[Marrocco]

Marrocco,
Your idea is a good one and may have a lot of validity, why don’t you look into some type of HD zoom able camera?


I have looked at those, and found one that may be small and lightweight enough for this application.
Some specs:
2048x1080 @ 23.98, 24, 25,
29.97 and 30 Hz frame rates
• Supports all HD formats: 1080i, 1080p,
1080PsF, 720p, 576i and 480i
• Dual link 4:4:4 RGB & YCbCr capable
• Fiber-out direct from CCU
• Genlock from Fiber, SDI or Analog

Head: 2.3 Oz (64g)
Controller: 4.4lbs (2.0kg)
Dimensions Head: 1.32”W x 1.50”H x 1.96”D (33.5x38x49.8mm)
Controller: 8.35”W x 1.72”H x 12”D (212x44x305mm)

So far this is the best i've found, but any suggestions are welcome!

[Marrocco]

Also-
what does it mean:
brushless vs. brushed(?)

[Connexxion]

Incase you've no experience,I suggest you start with a simulator.

The FMS sim is almost for free and good enough to learn how to fly a rc plane.(that's how I did it back in Oct.2006).

The sim:http://www.xheli.com/e4chflsitrki.html

Than you could start with a very stable and forgiving plane like the Multiplex Easystar.You will not impress chicks with this one but it surely will help you to obtain the skills needed to fulfill your ideas.

For further info regarding recording vid's in flight,I suggest you go to the FPV section of RCG:http://www.rcgroups.com/video-piloting-fpv-rpv-469/

[Connexxion]

Also-
what does it mean:
brushless vs. brushed(?)

Brushed= electric motors that conduct electricity by means of brushes against the axle.(forget about these motors,they are not efficient)

Brushes= what the word says--->no brushes used to transfer power (this is the way you should go,they're more efficient and last for almost eternity)

http://www.rcgroups.com/power-systems-13/

If you don't want to spend "trillions" on electric motors and Electric Speed Controllers,have a look at Hobbycity.com.

[Marrocco]

Thanks much! I'm getting great feedback here! I've been getting lots of advice to try a simulator...
-is there a user-friendly downloadable sim?
-do I need a traditional controller to use one?
-I have to design the controller as well...so what are some good examples of the industry standard?...

cheers-

[Marrocco]

Also-what are the main advantages of a winged uav vs. a heli-style uav?
i understand that heli-style uav has a the ability of a vertical take-off, as opposed to needing to achieve a certain speed before take-off...which is one of my motivations to use the heli-style.
keep in mind i'm interested in making several mini-uavs that can would ideally have extended fly times and higher speed-capabilities....
HA!-as I'm writing this, Homer is being chased by a "Predator Drone" heli on the Simpsons...great.

[ShadesOfGray]

If you want higher speeds and longish flight times (and how about a tad bit more simplicity and reliability with that), then you want an airplane.

As someone who is in the process of a very ambitious senior design project, I can sincerely tell you that you're certainly asking a lot of yourself, especially considering your lack of knowledge/know-how. Is your project due in a few months? Mine is. It is crunch time. This stuff is infinitely easier said than done, and if you want to describe a hypothetical product (Even if you aren't tasked with producing it) in any level of detail, then you need to go through the full process of designing it.

If you want to create a product (you should - it is a lot more fun, challenging, and purposeful than daydreaming about one that might or might not even work in actuality), then you want simplicity, and as many off-the-shelf parts as possible.

Also, earlier you were talking about micro UAV's. Now you're bringing up a 4.5 lb payload (and that's just the camera, not taking into account transmitters, on-screen-display, etc). If you want to carry a 4-5 lb payload, then you need a bigish airplane. Probably at least 8+ ft wingspan, depending on your cruising speed.

If you truly have to design the controller, in addition to everything else, then I say call it quits and pack your bags before you invest any more time. You want an off-the-shelf controller (modified, if necessary), a mostly off-the-shelf airplane, and then a payload of your choosing and design. Even that will be enough to keep you busy for a year or so (and a few thousand dollars), depending on where you go with it.

If you're interested in reading about my senior design project (Rocket-Launched Reconnaissance UAV), then go here:
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/USLI

[Marrocco]

Thanks to shadesofgray for the insight...albeit a little depressing, it was good info. I am committed to this project, and am excited about it. I'm not sure yet if this forum understands what it means to be an industrial designer. Yes, we have to make products usable, and yes we have to make them look good, but we are not electrical/aeronautical engineers. When I say "design the remote", I mean the casing, button/screen layout, and a basic interface design of how it might be used. I will show the parts in an exploded view, but I don't know that I'll be delving into programming.
A micro UAV has an 8 ft wingspan?...Really?....I apologize for my impetuousness, but why can a micro auv not be the size of my fist? I am not making it this size for my project, I'm just asking....
what are the constraints for size?....is it physics related?...will too small a unit just go flying off in the wind?.....I've attached a pic of one that looks pretty small....
How'd they do that?

Thanks again for all the great feedback and insights, guys-
cheers

[ShadesOfGray]

A micro UAV can be fist sized or even smaller. My point was that, if you want to carry an 8 lb camera, a micro UAV is not going to work.....

[Marrocco]

the camera I am using as an example is listed in a previous post. It weighs 4.4 oz, and is smaller than my fist. I am simply trying to assess all the pieces that I have to incorporate to make my idea seem feasible.