The Autonomous Quadcopter

By Team Eclipse
Dale Schuster
Xiaoran Ma
Lidong Cao
Kaiqi Yi
Yijie Sun Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ziqian Dong

Capstone project proposal submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the Degree of Bachelors of Science in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the School of Engineering and Computing Sciences of New York Institute of Technology
Fall 2014

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Table of Contents
Abstract
1

Executive Summary

2

Opportunity

3

Proposed Plan of Action
3.1

Project Components

3.2

Hardware/software Requirements

4

Commercialization

5

Limitations and further Development:

6

7

5.1

Impact

5.2

Prior Art

Project Management Plan
6.1

Research Plan

6.2

Team and Collaboration

6.3

Milestones and Timeline

Resources and Budget

References

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Abstract

The autonomous quadcopter is a revolutionary idea coming to realization. A quadcopter is an unmanned aerial vehicle that gains its thrust through the use of four propellers at the end of four arm extensions. Having four propellers provides more lift and stability than a typical single or double propeller design. This will change the way we deliver goods, map new areas, and even rescue people. Team Eclipse proposes the idea of a quadcopter that will be used for entertainment purposes such as photography. The exact functions of the quadcopter will be to provide a wrist­detachable, maneuverable and lightweight UAV that can photograph the surrounding environment in which it is allowed to fly. Scaling the size of the quadcopter down to a level where it can be carried around will prove to be difficult. These potential challenges have made the idea of creating a quadcopter exciting as it will test the skills and patience of each member in Team Eclipse.

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1 Executive Summary
A quadcopter can have many uses. This quadcopter design will be focused on entertainment such as photography and videography.
This portable quadcopter will be able to rest on the arm of any average sized adult without being cumbersome. From the wrist, the quadcopter will fly in the direction the wrist is aiming and go out a distance determined by the developers. Once it reaches that distance, it will return with the data it has collected. If an object is encountered along the way to its destination, it will return promptly with the data it had collected along the way.

2 Opportunity
As the technology of cameras continues to progress, more people are finding themselves interested in photography. Photography provides people with multiple benefits such as it being a creative outlet, being able to capture a moment forever and it providing a challenge. With the proposed idea, people will be able to continue reaping the benefits of photography, but in a new and exciting way. People will now be able to photograph themselves from a greater distance without the aid of another person. Alongside this now greater distance, aerial photographs will now be available as the quadcopter can soar to designated heights while taking imagery of the
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surrounding environment. This will provide a new way for people to view the world, a view that only animals of flight get to experience.

3 Proposed Plan of Action
Team Eclipse proposes to design and create a miniature quadcopter that is capable of taking photographs and returning to “base” autonomously. To begin this design, it is important that weight and size reduction can be achieved to where the quadcopter will be small enough to be carried on the arm. Alongside weight and size reduction, Team
Eclipse is looking at making this autonomous quadcopter cost effective so anybody, regardless of financial status or situation will be able to afford one. This will require the use of inexpensive lightweight materials.
This field of quadcopters is relatively new and there are companies rushing to build
such