BatStateU Integrated Response Drone (BIRD): A Hybrid Unmanned Vehicle for Disaster Response

Abstract

Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), are already being utilized to help people in need worldwide. In this report, the authors designed an unmanned vehicle composed of a flight mechanism & power supply, frame, and different payloads for different missions. These also include the design of different landing gears that are mechanically replaceable depending on the mission. This method allowed the drone to move in multi-mission or other environments (ground, air, and surface water) in normal conditions by changing its landing gears. A mapper payload that performs image stitching is also presented. The drone has an average flight time of 15 minutes, 4 kg. weight and can support payload weighing 5 kg., it was tested to operate at a maximum altitude of 100 m. It can communicate through a remote controller via radio frequency signals. It can land and take off in ground and surface water and maneuver in different environments; air, ground (flat area), and surface water, depending on the attached payload. The tests were conducted in remote and actual environments given the three different landing gears, and the results show that the drone is ready for a real mission. Future payloads such as a medical kit and detachable communications links are considered for the next phase.