This project was built during the Fall 2024 semester at UC Berkeley in the EECS 106A robotics course. Our work was sponsored by Theseus, a Y Combinator company working on GPS-denied navigation for drones.
What is the end goal of our project?
The end goal of our project is to develop a fixed-wing drone capable of autonomously delivering payloads to designated locations. The drone will autonomously follow a preselected flight path and deliver the payload with high precision.
Why is this an interesting project? What interesting problems do we need to solve to make it work?
This project is fascinating because it combines fixed-wing drone dynamics with advanced payload delivery mechanics. Key challenges include integrating precise flight control algorithms, optimizing payload release timing for accuracy, and maintaining stability during flight. The use of fixed-wing design adds complexity due to its reduced maneuverability, pushing us to innovate in flight planning and delivery systems.
In what real-world robotics applications could the work from our project be useful?
This project has practical applications in areas like disaster response where drones can deliver medical supplies or essentials in hard-to-reach locations. This flying can also come in handy as well as in commercial logistics for last-mile delivery in urban or rural areas. The focus on precision and efficiency makes it ideal for industries requiring high reliability in autonomous delivery solutions.