Beginners Guide To Robotics- IV (Types of Robots - Air)

Building a Robot - Types of Robots
part 4(Go to part 3, Index page)

2) AIR/AERIAL:
1. Winged(aerodynamic) Aircraft:

RC plane

Military Drone

These are robots which use aerodynamic surfaces and high speed horizontal motion to generate the lift to make it fly. The horizontal motion is usually generated with the help of horizontally placed rotors or jet engines. Small scale RC aircraft are the most popular robots in this category.

Lithium Polymer battery (11.1 V)

Brushless DC motor attached to rotor

Ailerons Demo on an aircraft

They are mostly electrically powered and use brush-less DC(BLDC) motors attached to the rotors. They use the high-end Lithium-polymer batteries which have a high charge density and light weight, thus are expensive. They have various control surfaces which include the rudder(s), the elevons(for delta wing style aircraft) ,and the ailerons and the elevator(for T-styled wing aircraft). These control surfaces change the way the air moves around the wings and the craft to make it move in a specific way and execute various maneuvers. They have a flight controller and a radio receiver attached in the craft. The remote control has a transmitter with a min 4-channel control to adjust the control surfaces and fly the craft remotely. Most of these are made up of light weight wood or plastic/foam boards. The other similar versions may use liquid engines to power the rotors while the rest would be similar. These heavier versions may use light weight carbon fiber or steel for its body. Most of these are manually controlled but high end enthusiasts could program to fly them autonomously. The plane designs are usually homemade at the makers will, which is why a little study of flight aerodynamics is important. Making a flying machine isn't easy and should not be taken lightly. This is because you are risking a lot of expensive equipment in the air which can be destroyed by a single crash. Plus you may also need permission form authorities to fly in areas. Its best to do a lot of research, join forums and clubs, or take a friend's help(who has made and flown a RC aircraft). You can also use simulators to help you learn flying as this could also be quite hard for some newbies. Examples in this category include all kinds of winged aircraft and military drones(autonomous).

2. Vertical Rotor(helicopter):

Quadcopter

The popular small-scale “drones” as we call them come in this category. They have rotors pointed upwards. They can maintain constant height from the ground and also can remain stationary or move in a highly controlled manner without changing its orientation much. The most basic ones use dual rotors/Coaxial rotors(attached one above the other and rotating in opposite directions) with an in-build mechanical gyroscope, and a smaller rotor at the back. The more advanced versions use 3(tricopter),4(quad-rotor/copter),5,6(hexa-rotor),7 or even 8(octa-rotor) rotors placed pointing vertically at different points on the bot. Their movement is controlled be adjusting the speeds of the different motors(or their pointing directions) to execute different maneuvers. The most popular out of these is the 4-rotor quadcopter. Most of these robots are infamous for their stability and high controllability. If you're thinking of buying a ready-made drone always remember the higher priced ones are for more stability and ease of control. Where as the lower priced ones are for stunt, racing, and for seasoned fliers. Most of these use electronic gyroscopes, flight controllers and other internal equipment similar to RC planes including the batteries. Even the remote would be the same for such drones.

Thus I recommend you make a multi-rotor drone before attempting an RC plane. Although the drone would be more expensive, it would be easier to build due to the availability of parts, bundled kits, no hassle of making a design, sure to fly and also would be easier to control and fly(less risk of crashing). Plus you'd get a lot of hands on experience and understanding of flying machines before you attempt a more customized field of RC planes. Not only this but a drone has far more applications than RC planes. Some of them are:
1. You can attach cameras(due to high stability) and become a part of the elite team of Aerial photographers!
2. You can add various sensors like the GPS sensor to make your bot travel to various places autonomously(make sure to add a return route and emergency landing procedures so that you don't loose the drone or crash it due to battery drain!)
3. You can transport heavier payload like deliver a present to your girlfriend without visiting her and messing with her family :-P.
4. You can track people, pets and open a mass surveillance program.(you're not doing this!)
5. Deliver first aid kits to the needy!(worth a try!)

3. Rockets!(Amateur rocketry):

A high-power rocket launch using an APCP motor
By Steve Jurvetson Licensed under CC BY 2.0

Yes! With proper permissions of the authorities you can make and launch a homemade rocket into the atmosphere if not into space! Not much heard of but a very popular field of technology and robotics! There are limitations to size, type of propulsion etc which obviously wont get you into space but will get you close enough. These rockets are the size of missiles and but with homemade propellants and rocket motors. But even with the limitations these can be as fast as missiles and can cover similar distances. Thus the limitations. I'd recommend you join a amateur rocketry club and do not try this alone as it involves a lot of safety measures, some paperwork and obviously making a rocket isn't one man's job.

Continue to part 5

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