UAV Autogyro

In recent years, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has expanded rapidly across fields such as surveillance, research, and environmental monitoring. However, traditional multirotor drones suffer from several limitations: they are energy inefficient due to the need to power multiple motors, generate high levels of noise, and lack safe descent mechanisms in the event of power failure. These drawbacks limit their effectiveness and safety in certain use cases, especially in coastal or populated environments.

To address these limitations, this project investigates the feasibility of using an autogyro-based UAV—a platform that generates lift through autorotation of an unpowered rotor and uses a front-mounted propeller for thrust. Autogyros are inherently safer due to their ability to glide down in the event of motor failure, and offer improved energy efficiency during level flight.

The specific need addressed in this project is the development of a low-cost, robust, and autonomous surveillance UAV for use over Scripps Pier in La Jolla, California, where traditional quadcopters may struggle due to wind conditions and flight safety concerns. Off-the-shelf autogyro kits lack the necessary space and features (such as flight controllers and camera systems) for autonomous operation. Therefore, this project seeks to redesign such a kit to include all required hardware for autonomous flight, real-time video streaming, and eventual onboard image recognition—thus providing a safer, quieter, and more efficient alternative to conventional drone platforms.