[HOT] UAVs

[Rod Bera]

Hi all,

To keep the prices low there is a DIY option based on open source tech: 
http://ardupilot.com/. It is based on the arduino chip, can be done as 
part as a community project or in a fab lab. The result is DIY plane or 
helicopter which can support manual as well as automatic flight.

Hope this helps,

Rod

On 15/07/13 22:08, Eric SIBERT wrote:
> Hi Lukasz,
>
>
> > Basically, I don't even know where to start research. I've come up
> > with a list of considerations, but I'm sure there's much more that I'm
> > missing
>
> Have a look at that:
>
> http://www.sensefly.com/home.html
>
>
> > * Because of sensitive context, the UAV shouldn't look intimidating -
>> a more toy-like appearance is a requirement
>
> Yes.
>
>> * How is the UAV controlled - remote or programmed flight path (i'm
>> assuming the latter is rather advanced - and consequently pricey?)
>
> Programmed flight path defined using google map.
>
>> * Can it carry a camera, and how is the camera mounted to ensure
>> top-down viewing angles for successful image georeferencing later on
>
> Modified (for remote control) compact camera. Provided with the setup.
>
>> * What camera would be appropriate for the intended use
>
> The one provided.
>
>> * Based on a quick calculation, it looks to me that with a typical
>> wide angle lens (28mm-equivalent) the side image is about half of
>> camera distance (so in this case - elevation). This means that if I
>> want to capture a 1x1km area, the camera should fly 2km above ground.
>> This doesn't seem to be feasible both because of flight height and
>> off-nadir angles, so it probably means a lot of smaller images and
>> then stitching?
>
> Have a look at their website for what can be done in term of 
> resolution and covered area. They use stitching.
>
>> * Finally, just as a general guideline, the budget I'd have is rather
>> fluid. If a workable solution can be achieved for a few thousand -
>> great, but if something vastly superior can be done for 10k, I would
>> definitely consider that as well
>
> 10k of what? ;-)
>
> They told me about 15 k€ for the ebee with stitching software.
>
>
>> However, in order not to get in over my head, I was thinking that a
>> DJI Phantom which seems to be all the rage on the internet these days,
>> fitted with a Pentax WG-3 (which has interval shooting mode) looks
>> like a set that could provide genuinely useful results for under a
>> thousand EUR - or am I completely off the mark here?
>
> We may imagine cheaper planes that the above mentioned one. I just 
> discovered 3D printed plane:
>
> http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20737-3d-printing-the-worlds-first-printed-plane.html#.UeRWOawvjaI 
>
>
>
> Éric
>
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-- 
Rod Béra,  MCF Géomatique                /   Lecturer, Geomatics
            et SIG pour l'Environnement  /    and Environmental GIS
Agrocampus-Ouest|65 r.Saint-Brieuc|CS84215|35042 Rennes cedex|France
+33 (0) 223 48 5553 - roderic.bera at agrocampus-ouest.fr