This project involves the design and construction of an octocopter drone tailored for surveying fish populations using a stereo camera and machine learning technology. The drone is developed in collaboration with Sea Stereo, a startup focused on providing innovative solutions for animal morphology research.
The octocopter design was chosen for its efficiency and safety, allowing for longer flight times with smaller, more efficient motors. This drone aims to operate in no-fly zones while minimizing disturbance to fish populations, providing accurate data collection for potential customers such as fish farm owners and government agencies.
- Payload Capacity: 5 lbs (including stereo camera)
- Flight Time: Extended duration with efficient motor and battery selection
- Safety: Reduced noise and propeller downwash
- Design Focus: Stability and reliability in wet environments
- Budget: Under $2000
- Weight: Approximately 5 lbs
- Thrust: Sufficient to lift the drone and additional payload
The octocopter features a Thicc 3.0 frame from Shendrones, designed for eight motors in a coaxial configuration. This design allows for a compact and agile drone while maintaining sufficient thrust. The frame is primarily made of carbon fiber, providing an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
- Landing Gear: Constructed from carbon fiber tubes and a 3D printed attachment for stability.
- Battery Protection: A carbon fiber plate safeguards the battery, with a three-walled support for easy access and maintenance.
- Flight Controller Spacer: A custom spacer was designed to accommodate necessary solder connections for the flight controller.
- Camera Mount: Designed to point the camera downward for effective environmental monitoring.
The electronic system includes:
- Motors: Selected the Avenger 3110 motors for their cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
- Batteries: Two 6000 mAh 6S LiPo batteries rated at 100 C, providing the necessary power.
- ESCs: Chose TMOTOR F55A Pro 4-in-1 ESCs to simplify wiring and control multiple motors.
- Flight Controller: Integrated with ArduPilot for streamlined control and compatibility with various components.
Diagram of electric control systems:
The drone's total cost was $1,198.20, well within budget, allowing for additional testing materials and design iterations. The drone's weight aligns with the target specifications, ensuring it can lift the required payload effectively.
The team conducted initial flight tests to evaluate the drone's performance. Testing began at 5% throttle, gradually increasing in increments of 5%. The drone successfully lifted off at 40% throttle, demonstrating its capability to carry the SeaStereo attachment, which adds an additional 5 lbs.
- Initial Testing: Conducted with only the top propellers for safety.
- Liftoff Capability: Confirmed that the drone can lift its own weight along with the additional payload.
The octocopter design successfully meets the requirements for surveying fish populations without disturbance. By utilizing a custom design approach, the team has created a reliable and efficient drone that operates within budget constraints. The project has laid a solid foundation for future development, including further testing and optimization of components.
- Improve mounting harness and add redundancies for critical components
- Conduct additional flight tests with full propeller configurations.
- Explore enhancements for video communication and data collection capabilities.
Schematic and simulation of switch converter used during intial planning:
CAD for electronics case:
Camera mount and CAD:
Battery mount and CAD:
Bill of Materials:
This project exemplifies the application of engineering principles to create a practical solution for ecological research, balancing performance, cost, and functionality.