Low-cost multi-UAVs system built on everyday objects

Abstract

UAVs – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles vary in sizes, functionalities, automation level and purposes, etc. Usually, lower-end UAVs are single-purpose since they employ simple, open-loop control algorithm or even manual-control, with limited number of peripherals to perform more complex tasks.

In February 2012, the Raspberry Pi, a credit-card-sized single-board microcomputer, is introduced to the market with affordable price. The Raspberry Pi provides a potent platform to build a cheap and multi-purpose UAV. Therefore, this Final Year Project - Low-Cost Multi-UAVs system built on everyday objects - will explore the potential of using the Raspberry Pi as the platform to build UAV.

The project includes:

- Building a UAV by attaching motors into everyday objects.

- Enable the UAV to perform complex tasks.

o This also implies subsequent programming on the Raspberry Pi’s ARM architecture and UNIX Operating System.

o Moreover, multi-task (multi-threading) programming and code optimization become critical.

- Integrate the UAV into a larger systems, preferably with ground stations.

o The UAV will communicate with the Ground Stations by Wireless networks such as Wi-Fi or even 3G and by SSH or TCP/IP protocol.

o Moreover, multiple UAVs can be controlled at the same time since they can communicate with each other.

The project has seen all of the above entries successfully implemented on the 2 Quad rotor prototypes. Furthermore, those success gives a much greater potential for improvements in the future.

This project has been carried out in coordination with ST Electronics’ Tech Factor Challenge competition. The main objective of the challenge is to create a robot in the field of security, military or civil defense.