A Brief Introduction to UAVs

Introduction

In a previous post I discussed the planning phase of performing a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). Today the class met outside to see demonstrations of a few different kinds of UAVs; two roto-copters, a kite, and a rocket.

The roto-copters were equipped with GPS units which can be used to guide the UAV back to its original starting position. This is extremely helpful if for some reason the pilot were to lose visual contact with the UAV. Cameras were also equipped to the UAVs for pictures to be taken. The cameras had a script installed which allowed for them to take a picture once every couple seconds specified by the pilot. Pictures of the roto-copters can be seen below in figures 1-5.

A kite was launched and was equipped with a camera to take still photos. The camera had the same script programmed into it which allowed for a predetermined amount of photos to be taken at a specific interval. The kite had a very stable flight even though the winds were variable. The camera was attached to the string of the kite to and provided straight down shots. An image can be found below in figure 6.

The last UAV was a rocket which was equipped with two cameras which recorded video during the brief flight (figures 7 and 8). Both engines in the rocket did not fire which resulted in the shorter than expected flight.

Flights

Both roto-copters underwent an in-flight calibration which tested out the motors to make sure that the copter was capable of a full flight. Flight times for the copters was around 15 minutes each. Both copters had a range of 1.5 miles but with only 15 minutes of flight it isn't feasible to reach this range.

Figure 1. Pre-flight for one of the roto-copters.

Figure 2.  An image of a roto-copter with 6 propellors that was utilized for a demo. 

Figure 3. A close up of a roto-copter showing a sensor which is connected to a headset that allows the pilot to view where the copter is. 

Figure 4. A close-up of a gimble which when activated keeps the camera level and pointing at the ground. 

Figure 5. A roto-copter in flight. The copters are able to hover to take stable images. They also have very good agility and tight turning radius'

The kite allows for a flight time of however long there is wind and an excellent stable platform for images to be taken with.

Figure 6. The kite with the camera attached to the sting. The camera took a picture every 5 seconds until 90 pictures were taken.

The rocket is incapable of having a pilot because of the nature of it. Below is an image of the rocket and also a video of the flight that I recorded and edited.

Figure 7. The rocket ready to be launched.