We've done "FPV" video before, but this time, we've got slightly better resolution, two cameras, techno music, and an interesting landing. We're building drones for high school students to learn about computers, robotics, and environmental science. It's called "Drones for Schools," and it's part of a National Science Foundation grant to improve STEM education.
The video is probably lower-res than it should be, considering the primary camera was a Hero 2HD camera, but that's a production software issue we're hoping to fix. While this drone is equipped with an APM 2.0, we didn't use it for this shoot, which is why it's a bit wobbly (user error -- novice pilot here). The HD camera did add a not inconsiderable weight to our 7lb drone, which had a negative affect on maneuverability.
We hope this promotional video will bring more students into the program, though garnering interest hasn't been much of an issue as of yet. We have three high schools in Illinois looking to obtain drones and training through the program, and we really don't see demand for project-based learning decreasing anytime soon.
Enjoy!
Comments
Hi Matthew, put a neutral density filter on your GoPro HD Hero2 camera, it will get rid of the annoying rolling shutter artefacts you can see from the spinning prop in the video :).
Great work otherwise!
Let them read this manual and take it in for the the flight training http://www.bmfa.org/publications/files/EUA.zip Also they will be flying a UA, a drone is a flying target shot at by others ;-)
Another critical comment to help you: What i can see is an impression of an airfield just right out of dreams and something which seems like a crash without a damage. But nothing about the "thing" that turns a fpv-modelairplane (?) into a drone.
Why don't you show anything about the apm 2.0/2.5 or the possibility of related autopilots? Some live cut-in's of the drones way in MissionPlanner or eq. could give your audience an idea of what is possible with a drone. Like this it is more an average (or lower) fpv-video with less relations to drones except the headline.Your recent message out of this video is: "learn to fly a model airplane" (probably even with a non-live gopro, who knows?). You should say: "look how easy it is to let it be flown or stabilised by an autopilot. But if you want to understand how all of this works, you should study it with us!"
I want to courage you in finding a way to reach your peergroup. That would be worthful for all of us. But just with the help of an almost old-fashioned techno tune you will not be successfull.
Probably it would be more seductive for prospectives to see some close-ups of the used hardwear (Drone, APM, etc.) than too many blue sky.
I'm going to be critical, hopefully that helps. The first thing I did was mute the sound. Switching between a prop interfering with the video and ground whizzing by doesnt make me curious either. Maybe, just a suggestion, you could show a video of gathering the parts, loading the code, testing the various features, then a successful flight.
Sorry, but show them something that gives them an idea what's involved, but also shows the successful end product.
Chop out the first 30 seconds... nothing is happening. A video likes this needs to grab your attention right away, and a half a minute before anything happens is just a bit long. ;-) The credits can roll during climb (nice blue sky for a background).
Good luck with it. It's hard to tell what exactly turns on a young to STEM. I suspect it's different for everybody.