Design, Control and Visual Navigation of the DelftaCopter
This work addresses the problem of creating a versatile UAV for medical delivery in remote areas, but it is incremental as it builds on existing UAV and vision technologies for a specific competition.
The researchers tackled the challenge of designing a UAV capable of precise hovering, efficient forward flight, and autonomous visual navigation for a medical delivery competition, resulting in a functional prototype that successfully participated in the 2016 Outback Medical Express UAV Challenge.
To participate in the Outback Medical Express UAV Challenge 2016, a vehicle was designed and tested that can hover precisely, take-off and land vertically, fly fast forward efficiently and use computer vision to locate a person and a suitable landing location. A rotor blade was designed that can deliver sufficient thrust in hover, while still being efficient in fast forward flight. Energy measurements and windtunnel tests were performed. A rotor-head and corresponding control algorithms were developed to allow transitioning flight with the non-conventional rotor dynamics. Dedicated electronics were designed that meet vehicle needs and regulations to allow safe flight beyond visual line of sight. Vision based search and guidance algorithms were developed and tested. Flight tests and a competition participation illustrate the applicability of the DelftaCopter concept.