BE MECHATRONICS
Imagine a vehicle, flying like a bird and being controlled virtually via a ground station, flying assigned missions without any assistance*. Now imagine a world where all future deliveries are being made by a guided air vehicle without anyone aboard, minimizing the size of the vehicle, making it mor
2025-06-28 16:30:36 - Adil Khan
BE MECHATRONICS
Project Area of Specialization Mechatronics EngineeringProject SummaryImagine a vehicle, flying like a bird and being controlled virtually via a ground station, flying assigned missions without any assistance*. Now imagine a world where all future deliveries are being made by a guided air vehicle without anyone aboard, minimizing the size of the vehicle, making it more maneuverable and dynamically sound.
A rapid increase of population and hence the gas driven ground vehicles is observed along the past few years, which also is a major reason for global warming.
Our proposed project would reduce the chances of global warming while making speedy deliveries and it could be used for a number of other applications like LAM etc. depending on the nature of the task.
*A ground control would be available.
Project ObjectivesA lot of flight dynamic models or UAVs are designed all across the globe but unfortunately, almost none of them are from Pakistan which makes it very hard for businesses to
acquire/procure them here in Pakistan.
The aim is to design an air vehicle that could be manufactured and procured locally, a lot of work is being done related to the quadcopters using third party controllers which are fully
developed hence leaving no room for further development.
The goal is to choose a controller that has enough room for development and incorporate it with a fixed-wing aircraft which would further fly way-point navigation and complete the
assigned missions and acquire the respective task.
Project Implementation MethodThe development of this vehicle started with low degree of aircraft simulations at the conceptual design stage. In order to predict flight dynamics during flight, we needed communication between PX4 and JSBSim. this was achieved with the help of bridging and Mavlink datagrams.
Once the communication is established, We have to implement autopilot to maintain its stability during flight. with the help of already generated FDM, we can implement altitude hold and vertical speed autopilot modes. All of this is to be done via object oriented C++ programming.
Once the autopilot is stable and working during SITL, then we will proceed to HIL simulation. px4 is attached with GPS,airspeed sensor,flow sensor,telemetry and radio controls. Mavlink will share information between ground station which is our laptop and the vehicle itself which is attached to px4.
Benefits of the ProjectBy minimizing the size of our air vehicle we could attain more speed and maneuverability while decreasing the chances of global warming by using electric engines.
The world is moving on to the electric engines as the gas driven engines are not environmental friendly, it is about time that we, the engineers of Pakistan start taking interest in this field and contribute for the betterment of our planet.
Moreover, It could be used in the field of medicine as it could deliver medicines and medical equipment to the remote areas of pakistan like thar, thal etc.
The project allows us to produce such technology locally which would make sure the availability of drones and their timely servicing at lower costs.
There’s a huge space for the aviation industries here in Pakistan because it is almost untouched, this would enable our users here in Pakistan to procure this aircraft in PKR instead of USD as this could boost our economy.
Technical Details of Final DeliverableAt the end of this project, we expect to produce a fully autonomous drone with a locally developed algorithm.
It would be able to pick/drop the payload using a mechanism that's under development, a dynamically sound tail dragger single motor-powered aircraft has already been built which also is deliverable.
A user-friendly GUI is also being developed.
An autopilot with the features of heading, altitude, V/S and navigation hold is also being designed.
The final product will take off, execute the mission and land autonomously.
Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry TransportationOther Industries IT Core Technology RoboticsOther Technologies Artificial Intelligence(AI)Sustainable Development Goals Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 58000 | |||
| Pixhawk 2.4 | Equipment | 1 | 25000 | 25000 |
| Airspeed and flow sensor | Equipment | 1 | 10000 | 10000 |
| GPS | Equipment | 1 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Radio Controls and telemetry | Equipment | 1 | 10000 | 10000 |
| motors (2500 rpm) | Equipment | 4 | 1500 | 6000 |
| Aircraft Body cost | Equipment | 1 | 5000 | 5000 |