Hybrid Terrestrial and Aerial Quadcopter
Problem statement
Robotic systems are becoming more prevalent as technology has advanced, but these robotic systems often are limited to one mode of transportation which makes them less capable of tackling difficult problems. The use of drones for search and rescue missions is an example of an incredible use of a robotic system. Drones offer the ability to scan large areas efficiently when compared to ground search teams and have proven their value for search and rescue missions [1] (United States & Department of Homeland Security, 2020). These drones lack the ability to traverse on the ground and require them to remain idling in the air which reduces their overall uptime [2] (Zhang et al., 2021). A hybrid terrestrial and aerial quadcopter offers a solution that allows for enhanced mobility and endurance creating a more robust system for traversing difficult terrain. This allows the drone to search for longer periods of time and can land to investigate points of interest on the ground. With no commercially available hybrid quadcopters with sensing capabilities, we hope to create a robust mechanical platform of a hybrid quadcopter for our client’s research in improving autonomous code.
Team members
Nathan Pitterle – leader
Simon Hirst – communicator
Shawn Chan – accountant
Daniel Soto – admin
Client
Xiangru Xu, Mechanical Engineering