Need to hear your input for a MIT Drone Project

[Parker Hao]

Hi hobbyists,

I’m a MIT sophomore who’s in a race drone project that’s aimed to improve both race quads’ efficiency and top speed (initial modeling yielded over 200mph) with a unique architecture. We are doing a survey with which we might modify our current design. We would really appreciate if you can help us by filling out the survey below!

it shouldn’t take more than two minutes

 

[Parker Hao]

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1...4TYu7L3rINsB_ewLiH7rGpfg/viewform?usp=sf_link

 

[GJH105775]

Noticed a spelling mistake on number one. Also any chance at getting some more options there regarding battery technology or is this survey more focused on things that can be improved in the scopes of this project? All of the given choices are really easy to do with a little bigger budget.

Also you might try contacting some of the bigger names in FPV if your project needs a test pilot. Would get it some exposure and provide a very skilled pilot.

 

[Parker Hao]

Thanks for filling out the survey! The project's main goal is to test a new architecture on racing drones and also currently there isn't much we can do about the battery technology after non-linear modeling and optimization.

 

[GJH105775]

Thanks for filling out the survey! The project's main goal is to test a new architecture on racing drones and also currently there isn't much we can do about the battery technology after non-linear modeling and optimization.

I know you may not be able to answer this just yet, but when you say new architecture do you mean software modifications or a big change to the hardware?

 

[dragger201]

Hi hobbyists,

I’m a MIT sophomore who’s in a race drone project that’s aimed to improve both race quads’ efficiency and top speed (initial modeling yielded over 200mph) with a unique architecture. We are doing a survey with which we might modify our current design. We would really appreciate if you can help us by filling out the survey below!

it shouldn’t take more than two minutes

Hey Parker.............I didn't do the survey because I'm not into the racers but more the AP platform quads. But I've been a speed demon most of my life and much of what I learned with going fast on two or 4 wheels applies in many ways to quads. I'm just curious what are the parameters in your search for a 200mph quad. One of the big considerations is flight time. Another is manueverability. My son is a big fan of racing quads and has shown me videos of highly manueverable quads that can exceed 120mph for up to 3 minutes at full power.

 

[Parker Hao]

I know you may not be able to answer this just yet, but when you say new architecture do you mean software modifications or a big change to the hardware?

It's a big change to the hardware but sorry I can't say too much about it... Stay tuned for updates

 

[Parker Hao]

Hey Parker.............I didn't do the survey because I'm not into the racers but more the AP platform quads. But I've been a speed demon most of my life and much of what I learned with going fast on two or 4 wheels applies in many ways to quads. I'm just curious what are the parameters in your search for a 200mph quad. One of the big considerations is flight time. Another is manueverability. My son is a big fan of racing quads and has shown me videos of highly manueverable quads that can exceed 120mph for up to 3 minutes at full power.

Thanks for the input. What was motor and battery spec that your son used?

 

[dragger201]

Thanks for the input. What was motor and battery spec that your son used?

Hey Parker.......... I know his current build is running 4100kv motors and I think he's using 4s 75c 1400mah batteries. But he's always building a new one...............

 

[Parker Hao]

Hey Parker.......... I know his current build is running 4100kv motors and I think he's using 4s 75c 1400mah batteries. But he's always building a new one...............

Yea I think for top speed, max current is really the key. Right now we're using a 90C 1300mah and 4s 75C sounds fair for 120 mph

 

[rosco11]

Honestly, someone making a quad-rotor faster does not get my attention. Mindless. They are horribly inefficient leaving bigger motors and more power. No brainer = No grader IMO.

Self tuning flight controller? Now you have my attention.
Single board holding flight controller, power distribution board, and electronic speed controllers? Now you have my attention.
What? Add in a race transponder AND self tuning PID's to this wonder board? A-plus and you are going to be very popular with equipment manufacturers.
Flight controller that automatically recognizes what equipment is plugged into it and adjust itself accordingly? Now you have everyone's attention.

Better penetration for video transmitters would also get you an A.
A means to bind the video signal to the receiver in the goggles so you can run the same channel in a large group without swapping signals or loosing the signal. AA+ and extra credit.

Better battery? Now the oil companies are coming after you.

Faster? Completely lacks imagination and i am sure your professor will feel the same way unless you come up with a totally new propulsion system. How many times has this been done in the last two years? Too many. Speed is not our problem.

Flying time, distance, usable video and a whole lot of equipment that requires a lot of adjusting to get it to work together are.

Speed will solve it self on the race course by hundreds of hobbyist who should be looking for a job, not playing with toys.

 

[dragger201]

Honestly, someone making a quad-rotor faster does not get my attention. Mindless. They are horribly inefficient leaving bigger motors and more power. No brainer = No grader IMO.

Self tuning flight controller? Now you have my attention.
Single board holding flight controller, power distribution board, and electronic speed controllers? Now you have my attention.
What? Add in a race transponder AND self tuning PID's to this wonder board? A-plus and you are going to be very popular with equipment manufacturers.
Flight controller that automatically recognizes what equipment is plugged into it and adjust itself accordingly? Now you have everyone's attention.

Better penetration for video transmitters would also get you an A.
A means to bind the video signal to the receiver in the goggles so you can run the same channel in a large group without swapping signals or loosing the signal. AA+ and extra credit.

Better battery? Now the oil companies are coming after you.

Faster? Completely lacks imagination and i am sure your professor will feel the same way unless you come up with a totally new propulsion system. How many times has this been done in the last two years? Too many. Speed is not our problem.

Flying time, distance, usable video and a whole lot of equipment that requires a lot of adjusting to get it to work together are.

Speed will solve it self on the race course by hundreds of hobbyist who should be looking for a job, not playing with toys.

Yeah Rosco, I hear ya, but here's the thing...............a lot that is now available is there because someone wanted to go faster. Many of the things you want to see are gonna come about by those looking to go faster. I gotta QX90 that has an intergrated FC, PDB, ESCs and Rx. That integrated board didn't come about by some hobbyist. That is a major electronic engineering marvel. Those who've made a serious study of going faster, in any category, understand that it's not as simple as throwing bigger motors at the problem. Those days are long gone............

 

[Parker Hao]

Honestly, someone making a quad-rotor faster does not get my attention. Mindless. They are horribly inefficient leaving bigger motors and more power. No brainer = No grader IMO.

Self tuning flight controller? Now you have my attention.
Single board holding flight controller, power distribution board, and electronic speed controllers? Now you have my attention.
What? Add in a race transponder AND self tuning PID's to this wonder board? A-plus and you are going to be very popular with equipment manufacturers.
Flight controller that automatically recognizes what equipment is plugged into it and adjust itself accordingly? Now you have everyone's attention.

Better penetration for video transmitters would also get you an A.
A means to bind the video signal to the receiver in the goggles so you can run the same channel in a large group without swapping signals or loosing the signal. AA+ and extra credit.

Better battery? Now the oil companies are coming after you.

Faster? Completely lacks imagination and i am sure your professor will feel the same way unless you come up with a totally new propulsion system. How many times has this been done in the last two years? Too many. Speed is not our problem.

Flying time, distance, usable video and a whole lot of equipment that requires a lot of adjusting to get it to work together are.

Speed will solve it self on the race course by hundreds of hobbyist who should be looking for a job, not playing with toys.

Haha honestly I can't explain our architecture but big talking about a project you know nothing about isn't welcoming here in this forum...
Also there are two IMO gold medals and ISEF top award winner on the team. Stop trolling yourself and good luck
Still, thanks for the input