Objectives
The main objective of this project is to simulate a hybrid solution that be able to increase the autonomy of a quadrotor keeping some of its maneuverability.
Why is it important?
Nowadays the applications of the quadrotor are growing, its characteristics of maneuverability are appreciated in many areas, like florestal, powerlines and structure inspection and even archeology, but to have a importante place in these areas the flight hours of the quadorotor must increase, ie has to be more autonomous. The hybrid solutions that we're studied don't exist in the market what implies the necessity of a simulation that can preview in a realistic form what will be the behavior of the platform, to prevent errors before the construction of the platform.
Motivation
As a portuguese citizen the wildfires are something that bothers me. All years many hectares of florest burns even the protected areas. Knowing that the work developed will have application in this area is a huge motivating factor, maybe the things that most attrated me in this project were its applications, is to know that what i will develop will have pratical applications and will most of all be useful.
LaTRAX
Quad copter hover plane test flight at NASA
© Joana Viseu, 2014