Anyone
following the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the last decade of so knows about the incredible
advances that have been made in airframes, propulsion, communications, and autonomous flight. One of the latest
video to hit the Internet is
this
one showing an R/C helicopter that has been programmed to fly 3-D aerobatics without a human pilot. For those of
you who routinely fly these maneuvers, it might not seem like such a noteworthy feat, and maybe it's not for the
human brain, eyes, ears, and fingers, but take a look at some of the mathematics that are governing what you have
learned to do.
The brain-bending sophistication of a control system that incorporates feedback from
gyroscopes, GPS, audio and visual sensors, accelerometers, and other inputs is the perview of doctorate level
thinkers. Of course to even be able to approach a project like this requires either the engineer/scientist himself
to be a proficient R/C helicopter pilot, or he must have the assistance of someone who is.
So,
if you are an accomplished 3-D heli pilot, you can rightly be impressed with yourself for routinely performing PhD
level thesis work every time you take to the air - without even being aware of your brilliance!
Autonomous R/C Helicopter Flight
Autonomous R/C Helicopter Autorotation
Landing Note that it appears to "learn" and
get better each time.
Even during the busiest times of my life I have endeavored to maintain
some form of model building activity. This site has been created to help me chronicle my journey
through a lifelong involvement in model aviation, which
all began in Mayo, MD. There
is a lot of good information and there are lotof pictures throughout the website that you will probably find useful, and might
even bring back some old memories from your own days of yore. The website began life around
1996 as an EarthLink screen name of ModelAirplanes, and quickly grew to where more server
space ...
Try Using SEARCH to Find What You Need. >1,400 Pages
Indexed on Airplanes & Rockets!
All
trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other rights of ownership to images and text used
on the Airplanes and Rockets website are hereby acknowledged.
Anyone
following the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the last decade of so knows about the incredible
advances that have been made in airframes, propulsion, communications, and autonomous flight. One of the latest
video to hit the Internet is
this
one showing an R/C helicopter that has been programmed to fly 3-D aerobatics without a human pilot. For those of
you who routinely fly these maneuvers, it might not seem like such a noteworthy feat, and maybe it's not for the
human brain, eyes, ears, and fingers, but take a look at some of the mathematics that are governing what you have
learned to do.
So,
if you are an accomplished 3-D heli pilot, you can rightly be impressed with yourself for routinely performing PhD
level thesis work every time you take to the air - without even being aware of your brilliance!
