With advancements in technology and AI features, the ways of delivery are rightfully just to seek innovation for consumers. That in mind, the mission of this project is to design, build, and test a fully autonomous quadcopter that will be capable of carrying a 1-lb payload to a GPS waypoint 50 meters away, being able to detect the landing target, and releasing the payload gently within 1 meter of the specified landing zone. It will also have the ability to autonomously return to its starting point.
The ARISE autonomous quadcopter is a compact system that is designed to perform short ranged autonomous payload delivery with very minimal human input. The system uses a 450 mm X-frame with four brushless motors and four electronic speed controllers to provide a stable lift and hover, along with simple maneuverability, and controlled descent while carrying a 1 lb payload. The autonomous flight and navigation is managed by a Pixhawk 6c flight controller using a GPS based waypoint system to deliver the payload around 50 meters away. A TF Mini Plus LiDar sensor supports precise altitude control during the landing process. The payload deployment will be operated through a servo actuated release mechanism, and system for the whole system will be supplied through a 4S 5200 mAh battery. Finally, a radio transmitter will be connected in case of an emergency for safe testing and operation.
The final quadcopter needed to have a fully integrated autonomous system capable of stable flight and waypoint navigation, visual target detection for precise landing, a controlled payload release system, and a real time altitude measurement system. The design would also need to be capable of being able to thrust around 8 lbs of total thrust, to include the weight of the quadcopter with its components and the payload. The final deliverables are a quadcopter capable of flying 50 meters with a 1 lb payload attached & a design binder thoroughly documenting the process of building the quadcopter.