Using the Draganflyer electric remote control helicopter (manufactured by Draganfly Innovations Inc) Vanderbilt University has developed the Vanderbilt Embedded Computing Platform for Autonomous Vehicles (VECPAV). This system is able to control an aerial or ground vehicle autonomously (without a pilot).

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (PRWEB) November 20, 2007 — Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN has successfully used the Draganflyer electric rc helicopter for autonomous vehicle research, involving flight by computer control without human input. The project is called VECPAV (Vanderbilt Embedded Computing Platform for Autonomous Vehicles). VECPAV is intended to create and develop autonomous control systems for unmanned aerial and ground vehicles. These control systems eliminate the need for an operator by substituting intelligent control software and electronics. This research is part of a larger project aimed at improving the design of hybrid systems which use embedded electronics and software to control mechanical devices used in performance-critical and safety-critical applications.

Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN has successfully used the Draganflyer electric rc helicopter for autonomous vehicle research, involving flight by computer control without human input. The project is called VECPAV (Vanderbilt Embedded Computing Platform for Autonomous Vehicles). VECPAV is intended to create and develop autonomous control systems for unmanned aerial and ground vehicles. These control systems eliminate the need for an operator by substituting intelligent control software and electronics. This research is part of a larger project aimed at improving the design of hybrid systems which use embedded electronics and software to control mechanical devices used in performance-critical and safety-critical applications.

Having autonomous control over a vehicle creates many benefits and removes the need for continuous human input. This could be applied to full size vehicles, allowing cars to drive themselves, or allowing automated vehicles to perform tasks in hazardous conditions. This would eliminate the risks normally faced by an on-board operator. By removing the operator and related systems from the vehicle, it also allows for increased payloads, smaller sizes, and increased mobility.

The VECPAV system uses a sensor tracker to monitor the motion and position of a Draganflyer rc helicopter by using identifier points on the helicopter. The system then analyzes this data and sends commands back to the Draganflyer rc helicopter through a radio control transmitter, telling the Draganflyer rc helicopter to maintain position or move through its flight plan. Videos of Draganflyer helicopters flying autonomously can be found on the VECPAV homepage, and This YouTube Video. In addition to being successfully used to control Draganflyer electric rc helicopters, the VECPAV system has also been implemented on ground based scale model vehicles.

As a result of his efforts on the VECPAV project, team leader Prof. T. John Koo has been recognized with an NSF (National Science Foundation) CAREER Award: Computation Platform for the Design of Hybrid Systems. This award is considered a highly prestigious honor. Prof. T. John Koo is now at Shantou University, China, where he plans to build on and extend what he has achieved at Vanderbilt.

The Draganflyer radio control rc helicopter has also been used in similar projects such as the MIT Aerospace Controls Laboratory’s UAV SWARM Health Management Project and the Stanford Testbed of Autonomous Rotorcraft for Multi-Agent Control. The Draganflyer rc helicopter is well suited for these applications because it is a stable aerial platform with fewer moving parts than a standard rc helicopter. The Quad-Rotor Draganflyer rc helicopter manoeuvres by varying the thrust generated from each of its four rotors. With one rotor at each corner, differential thrust causes the airframe to rotate and change direction. This eliminates the need for the linkages and components used on conventional rc helicopters that vary the pitch of the main rotor blades in order to manoeuvre. With fewer moving parts, there are fewer things to wear out, and less maintenance required. Because it is an electric rc helicopter, the Draganflyer is safe to use indoors. Its small size allows it to be used in smaller areas than conventional rc helicopters. The Draganflyer rc helicopter is manufactured and sold by Draganfly Innovations.

Hiroki Ito is one of four Japanese team members to place in the top 10 of the Japanese F3C Competition on October 20-21, 2007 while using Thunder Power RC batteries.

Competition Winners:

• 1st – Ito (EP Thunder Power RC)
• 2nd – Sensui
• 3rd – Dobashi
• 4th – Hashimoto
• 5th – Sawamura
• 6th – Kobayashi (EP Thunder Power RC)
• 7th – Kunii (EP Thunder Power RC)
• 8th – Iso
• 9th – Nonogaki
• 10th – Hutatugi (EP Thunder Power RC)

Traplet Publications, has published three new books on rc helicopters and one new rc helicopter DVD.

Three new model rc helicopter books:
R/C Model Helicopters: A Guide for Beginners by Malcolm Messiter (covers electric power as well as internal combustion engines and includes tips and advice on buying, building, flying and maintaining model helicopters – everything the beginner needs to know, from choosing or building the model to installing the components of the radio)
Building Scale Helicopters by Peter Wales (who won the Top Gun Trophy for helicopters in 2001 and went on to win the US Nationals for RC Helicopters for the following three years)
3D Helicopter Flying by Russ Deakin (covers the many skills that are needed in order to take part in 3D helicopter flying)

New rc helicopter DVD:
Small Rotors DVD by Nigel Cartwright (an introduction to the wide range of model helicopters available from low-cost beginner’s models to powerful advanced helicopters, capable of full 3D aerobatics)

About Traplet Publications
Traplet Publications (traplet.com) is based in Malvern, Worcestershire, UK. Traplet publishes a range of magazine titles including Model Helicopter World, R/C Model World, Quiet & Electric Flight International, RC Jet International, Military in Scale, Truck Model World, Radio Race Car International, Marine Modelling International, as well as a wide range of books, DVDs and plans. Traplet also publishes a range of sewing and craft magazines, books and DVDs.