vtol.mp4
Problem Statement 🗣️
The geography of India is extremely diverse, with landscapes ranging from snow-capped mountain ranges to deserts, plains, hills and plateaus. Though the state government claims to have built several roads in rural areas, the data shows that hundreds of villages do not have connectivity with major connecting roads. Due to poor connectivity, villages are deprived of direct access to their requirements.
Our Solution 💡
We plan on solving this problem using VTOL (vertical take-off and landing). People living in remote areas will be delivered the requested items quickly and efficiently using VTOL. Crucial deliveries like medication and blood bags can be delivered to the required area very swiftly and safely using this VTOL. VTOL is being chosen as our mode of delivery because it is faster than a drone or quadcopter uses less energy and can be mass-produced for large scale applications. But the main feature of a VTOL is in its name that is, Vertical TakeOff and Landing, meaning, it does not require long airstrips or runways to get airborne, consequently eliminating the need for expensive infrastructure It holds the advantages of multiple UAVs combined into one.
Methodology 🪜
We have chosen a tri-copter-based VTOL configuration: During takeoff and landing, it will act like a tri-copter and when we switch from takeoff mode to forward flight mode, the two front motors will tilt 90 degrees( it will be facing forward, this will be accomplished by using a tilt-rotor mechanism) and act as thrust motors for the plane. For proof of this concept, we would build a small-scale prototype, keeping the cost to a minimum and test out different configurations and properties like flight duration, battery efficiency, payload, and flight range. It holds the advantages of multiple UAVs combined into one.
Technologies 🖥️
Software
Website: HTML, CSS, Vanilla JS, Firebase
Simulation: ArduPilot (Mission Planner), SITL
Callibration: ArduPilot (Mission Planner), PixHawk
Hardware
PixHawk | ESC | Brushless Motors | GPS Module | Radio Telemetry | Servo Motors | ESP32 CAM | FTDI Programmer
Website 🌐
We have built an interactive and dynamic website which allows the user to specify the pickup and drop location. this is taken by the VTOL in realtime and acts accordingly. the user is allowed to track his/her order through the website