While ordering parts for my V959 today, I perused the BG website a bit, and came across this little guy. I have been aware of it for awhile, but I decided to do a little more research, and am seriously considering buying one. It is the Walkera Ladybird V2 FPV quad. This thing is tiny, Its about 4 inches square, and a little over an inch tall, by my mental math (8.5cm square, 3cm tall). It has a built in FPV system operating at 5.8ghz, and THIS package comes with the DEVO4 controller with built-in video screen. The control board has built in 3 axis gyros, and 3 axis accelerometers. The whole thing ticks in around $200 US. I have been saving pennies for either building, or buying a pre-built quad to use for APV and FPV, but I may have to divert some cash the direction of this quad.
These little all-in-one packages are becoming more complex, and cheaper at the same time, which really amazes me. I have been looking at a couple of other quads with interesting bells and whistles, and thinking about how the technology could be applied to my personal interest, disaster relief, but I will go into that at a later time.
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The round the world flights are pretty much happening now, all you'd need to is plug in an Ardupilot. :)
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/05/how-to-fly-solar-impulse/
I have also read somewhere that the military has had some UAV up in the sky for a record time.
Here's an interesting article you might like
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22380287
And, signals bounce from rover to base. Not sure how I missed that.
I really like the idea of a base station with charging and range extension. To take this a step further, the rover could carry repeaters, and drop them when its reception signal hits a certain threshold. Then, the original transmitter would bounce a signal, repeater to repeater, to the ever mobile base station. Like you said, the quad could be its "high ground" eyes (and other sensors) while it takes the low road. Throw solar panels on the whole thing, and you are good to go.
I was recently talking with someone else about an autonomous DIY drone flying across the country on its own. It would have solar panels onboard, and would be capable of withstanding weather. Basically, it would fly a chunk of its route, set down, and recharge. Then, it would fly another chunk, and repeat. It would take a long time I imagine, but it could be done. I imagine a combination X-prize, Cannonball Run (did I show my age a bit?) competition driving the development. I also imagine the FAA shutting it down before it ever started, hence the Cannonball Run aspect, I suppose.
Heres an idea, combination flyer (quad) with some type of crawling base station, drive into the location, till you can drive no further then launch flyer for further progress. Base station could allow recharging, extended signal range.
Like you say, may not be realistically possible right now, but technology nowadays doesnt take long to catch up to crazy imaginations.
Note: I am not suggesting current off-the-shelf solutions being used in something like confined space SAR, but watching the progression of technologies in these, for lack of a better word, toys, is amazing.
Jon, I have seen that. I would like to speak with them actually. I did speak with the guy developing the MeCam micro quad (I would link, but not easiest thing to do on mobile device) and he said they actually spoke with a company about using them to fly into hazardous environments for inspection. The biggest problem currently, as you say, is payload capacity, and battery. I am hopeful progressing technologies will resolve both issues sooner than later.
KinectFusion + RaspPi on a full size quad? One limitation would be getting signal if you flew into a collapsed building.
I think Micros are too limited by weight and flight time for what you're describing but check this out Bitcraze Micro quad with usb GCS. or the previous links for hacking the TX on your Walkera
Craig, that video is amazing.
There is the Walkera Infra quad which uses ultrasonic sensors (I believe) for collision avoidance and altitude hold. I imagine a similar system used in confined space rescue, or general search. In the fire service we would do right, or left hand search patterns in low visibility. Same hand always on the wall, eventually you come around to where you started. I imagine a rover quad, able to roll along a wall, and "hop" as needed. A simple controller would suffice. It could aim infrared, acoustic, or shortwave radar inwards on its search pattern, searching for signs of life.
Great info Jon, opens up I ideas I never thought about.
Helistorm, here's a video you might like, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz5z_xaB9i8 (checkout the website in the links too).
It sounds pretty complex but what was military grade technology is open to DIY and open source pretty quickly.
The rate at which this field is growing and new technology is amazing. I learn something new everyday just from following links.
Im setting up a Bixler2 plane for FPV and automated flight control with the intentions of mapping and aerial surveillance, the idea is to do this one on a low budget and see what outcomes I can get.
My first goal was quad aerial filming, but to get the results I wanted I'd realistically need to outlay about $5k which Im not prepared to do right now.
Craig, great info. Like you, I want to move up to a bigger quad for FPV, but I love the potential of these smaller quads. I have a Helimax 1sq, and find it very fun. I have larger single rotor helicopters, but my biggest quad is a v959. As I said in my post, I have an interest in the use of UAVs for disaster relief. I can imagine smaller camera quads being used for search and rescue in confined quarters. This, I think, is my draw to them.
Jon, good stuff there. The video at the end is impressive. DIY micro FPV.
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