How to start and what to do?

Question

Electronics

Hey!

My name is Ilya - I am a fully software-based being. I have only a vague idea about iron.

Idea: make something cool that can fly;
Incarnation: a manned quadrocopter with armament in the form of copper balls and a pneumatic barrel;
Hardware: Raspberry Pi; I can buy anything in the amount of $1000; quadrocopter skeleton;

Task

The quadcopter is running Linux on the RPi. Communication with the base (Linux; Qt) is carried out via radio. The required distance is 1200 m. The maximum image delay from the quadcopter camera: 170ms.

Imaginary process of work :

1. The device is started on the base. Management is carried out through the joystick and software on the computer.
2. The quadcopter is piloted from the base. Real-time video from the camera on the copter is transmitted to the base.
3. On the FIRE command (as it will be coded there), the pneum should work. pipe and throw out the copper ball (d=3.5mm). Rechargeable.
4. The auto-balancing system prevents the quadcopter from rolling over and falling into a tailspin.
5. Aircraft returns to base.

How can all this be done and how, in general, where to start? How to work with all sorts of engines (servos they seem to be called) via COM, etc.

Thank you!

Answer 1

Buy ready-made more powerful, collect, get a profit.
In fact, the chances of realizing this even on the basis of a finished device are extremely small.
Weight, balance + sight mechanism, which is not very easy to make.

Answer 2

hackaday.com/2012/12/01/raspberry-pi-quadcopter/
There is a link to sorts, maybe you can find something.
3.5mm ball, won't the shot affect the balance?

Answer 3

> Communication with the base (Linux; Qt) is carried out via radio. The required distance is 1200 m.
Wow. It makes sense to think about the internal combustion engine, the battery will not last long.
> Auto-balancing system prevents the quadcopter from rolling over and spinning.
These are the things that will be interesting to program.
PS So I'm wondering why people usually follow the path of "put as many screws as possible"? After all, the simplest and most unambiguous design in balancing is on three reference points.
PPS Regarding the control of servos, I advise you not to bathe with soldering, but to buy ready-made modules from the Chinese (they cost a penny, soldering yourself will be at least 3 times more expensive).

Answer 4

>> Communication with the base (Linux; Qt) is carried out via radio. The required distance is 1200 m.
>Wow. It makes sense to think about the internal combustion engine, the battery will not last long.
Don't listen to this advice.
There are no ICE quadrocopters. Flying FPV in an ICE helicopter is tough and extreme.
It is quite possible to fly 1200 meters from the base on a quadric, it's a couple of minutes one way. A well-balanced quadcopter in all respects quietly flies for 10 minutes with a full load.
>> The auto-balancing system prevents the quadcopter from rolling over and spinning.
These are the things that will be interesting to program.
These things are already implemented in the firmware. It's called a stabilization system. Without it, the quadcopter will not fly.
On the subject: look towards the OpenPilot project. Everything you need is there.