Zot-onomous is a Senior Design Project focused on building an autonomous drone from the ground up. The goal is to design a student-built unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of vertical takeoff, forward flight, and a controlled rapid descent for accurate payload delivery. Most delivery drones descend slowly, noisily, and predictably. Zot-onomous takes a different approach: the drone climbs to 100 feet, then dives rapidly, safely pulling out of the descent 5 feet of the ground. This makes it faster, quieter, and harder to detect than conventional designs. That capability opens doors across three real-world applications: rushing medical supplies to hard-to-reach areas, supporting military logistics stealthily, and delivering packages to neighborhoods without the noise and privacy concerns drones typically bring. At its core, this project exists to move a 0.5 to 2 kg payload safely and reliably to its target. Onboard autonomy reduces human error and keeps every delivery consistent and repeatable.
ZOT-ONOMOUS
Summary
Technical Approach/Methodology
To solve the challenge of reliable autonomous delivery, we are utilizing a structured systems engineering framework that divides the project into specialized mechanical, avionics, and software subsystems. We have performed trade studies and component analyses to methodically select the necessary mechanical and avionic components. On the design side, we used simulation software to predict flight performance and refine the drone's aeroshell before building anything physical. This allowed us to catch potential issues early and confirm that our motors generate enough lift to carry the target payload without overheating or draining the battery too quickly. Our software team uses Mission Planner and Gazebo simulation software to virtually validate autonomous trajectories and risky "dive-and-recovery" sequences, reducing the risk of a crash. The drone itself is built around a lightweight carbon fiber frame, with 3D printed components for the aeroshell and electronics mount. To protect both the payload and the drone on landing, we designed a custom shock-absorbing suspension system that cushions impact on uneven or rough terrain.
Outcomes
After months of design, testing, and iteration, the Zot-onomous team has built a working FAA-compliant drone prototype that demonstrates what student engineers can accomplish. The drone is capable of vertical takeoff, forward flight, and controlled descent with the sole purpose to support fast, precise payload delivery. Along the way, the team produced full CAD models, a custom aeroshell, avionics mount, and a release mechanism that can drop a payload within 2 seconds of reaching the target zone. One of the team's proudest moments was verifying that the propulsion system — 900kV motors, 10-inch propellers, and a 14.8V 6000 mAh LiPo battery — handles sustained flight without overheating, staying within 5°C of ambient temperature throughout testing. The drone has also proven it can hover on its own, holding steady and responding accurately to navigation commands. While the full high speed dive sequence is still being refined, the team has already demonstrated reliable waypoint navigation and payload drops accurate to within a 5 square foot target area, a result the team is proud of and plans to build on going forward.