Hello,
This is my first post as I have recently become interested in UAV for a research project I would like to conduct.
I have received prices for the commercial small UAVs and they have very large price differences. I nearly had a heart attack when I received a quote for a GateWing X100.
Therefore, based on the US$600 start-up that has been presented on this site I might give it a go to build my own.
:Why I need a UAV?:
I need to map relatively flat areas of approximately 2 km2 to obtain an accurate (within 15cm accuracy) ortho and Digital Surface Model (DSM) to analyse in CAD software. I have ground control points to improve my models.
:Requirements:
>Fully automatic fly system (take-off by hand, auto fly a planned survey path, land). Also to include a back to base option. The areas where I need to survey are inaccessible by foot or vehicle so retrieving a plane if it fails will not be possible. I need good reliability.
>Range up to 5 km.
>Obtain a high quality aerial image of this area (seaminglessly joined from the multiple photos and georeferenced)
>Operate at flying altitudes of 200m above ground level at ground elevations of 5000 meters above sea level (I work in the mountains)
>Be able to fly and obtain good data at winds up to 50 km/hr
>Land on coarse gravel surfaces (no grass where I am)
>Ideally to have a flight duration of 1 hour or more.
:Questions:
>Why such a big price difference in the commercial systems when they all seem to do the same thing? Some of the expensive ones look like they will fall to bits in no time.
>The majority of the planes specified on this site for UAV development seem to be easily breakable on landing (EOP etc.). Are there planes that can skid land on gravel without damaging writing off the body or jeopardising the internal electronics?
>I have RC car knowledge and not planes. Can I buy an ARDUPilot and set it up manually?
>Can I include telemetry to see on board battery power and even modify the flight path while airbourne?
>Based on my requirements to use a UAV, what plane would be best that is durable and can hold all the required electronics?
Apologies for the many questions, but I’m new here and very keen to learn.
Thanks in advance
Replies
Nothing out there for under $50,000 can fly in 50 kph winds and land on gravel. You will not be able to get 5km range out of your command and control link without spending a chunk of money. Probably that alone will eat up your $600.
You have to choose to fly when the weather is right for your platform, also no where in the world would it be legal for an untrained person to fly beyond line of sight.
I would have thought with your RC car knowledge you would have realised where the money goes.
You are absolutely, right!
Yes I know that very much was invested in R&D to create these drones... but why gain/profit it only in few sales? Will be much more easy to everyone budgets, if theirs investments will paid of the many sales... yes, they will selling it a lot!
My "case" is exacly the same yours. I need a flying plataform, that could taken images with great quality, in autopilot mode, following an flight plan, with manys waypoints. After, I will post-processing imagery, as orthophotos, DTM and DSM etc.
But, X100, SenseFly, Sirius and many others that I have quote, is prohibitive to me... I'm poor. I had good ideas in my brain, but have no money in my pocket... :-)
Here, in Brazil, with R$ 3.000 (about US$ 1.500) anyone can building an UAV like this, with some imported parts. With many knowledge, expertise and LOT of reading, reading and learning... Well, maybe I will trip this way!!
Well, sucess for both!