So I've made a line tracking robot, barcode reading robot (just read 1 letter), and maze solving robot in the past.
I've also taken a course on electronics and used MOSFETs and BJTs in the laboratory.
Not too long ago I got the ELEGOO Uno R3 Super Starter Kit and I've found it quite easy to use so far, although I'm still learning about the more complex components
I'll paste a list of the components at the end of this post.
My question is – I would like to make a drone to increase my chances of getting an internship in the engineering field, can someone please point me in the right direction regarding resources, what components/parts to get and any other tips? The goal is to get as much experience as possible in the different aspects of this i.e. mechanical, electrical, etc.
If you think I should pursue some other project, feel free to suggest it.
I don't have a 3D printer, but if it's absolutely necessary to 3D print I can find a way
LIST OF COMPONENTS IN ELEGOO Uno R3 Super Starter Kit:
* 1pcs UNO R3 Controller Board; 1pcs LCD1602 Module ( with pin header); 1pcs Breadboard Expansion Board; 1pcs Power Supply Module **WARNING: Pls. do not use the voltage higher than 9V**
* 1pcs Joystick Module; 1pcs IR Receiver; 1pcs Servo Motor (SG90); 1pcs Stepper Motor; 1pcs ULN2003 Stepper Motor Driver Board
* 1pcs Ultrasonic Sensor; 1pcs DHT11 Temperature and Humidity Module; 1pcs 9V Battery with DC; 1pcs 65 Jumper Wire
* 1pcs USB Cable; 1pcs Active Buzzer; 1pcs Passive Buzzer; 1pcs Potentiometer; 1pcs 5V Relay
* 1pcs Breadboard; 1pcs Remote; 1pcs Tilt Switch; 5pcs Button (small); 1pcs 1 digit 7-segment Display; 1pcs 4 digit 7-segment Display
* 5pcs Yellow LED; 5pcs Blue LED; 5pcs Green LED; 5pcs Red LED; 1pcs RGB LED
* 2pcs Photoresistor; 1pcs Thermistor; 2pcs Diode Rectifier (1N4007); 2pcs NPN Transistor (PN2222)
* 1pcs IC 74HC595; 120pcs Resistor; 10pcs Female-to-male Dupont Wire
EDIT: I am currently doing an undergraduate degree, Mechatronics
Your edit only answered one of my three questions.
Unfortunately, I don't think that any hobby projects that you complete will help you get a foot in the door. At best, if you're able to secure an interview for an internship through other means, you may be able to impress the interviewer by talking about your hobby projects (assuming that this experience has any relevance to the field of the internship).
You'd be better off pursuing activities that can be officially documented in your transcript and/or resume, such as:
Coursework (and getting high grades in relevant courses).
Undergraduate research for credit, or independent study courses that may provide a more "official" venue for design/build/testing of a mechatronics project.
Joining and being active in any relevant campus clubs (or starting an Arduino club yourself, if your university doesn't have one!).
Participating in (and winning, or placing in) relevant competitions — within the university, or local, regional, national, or international competitions.
Presenting about your projects at relevant conferences (within the university, or local, regional, national, or international conferences), or otherwise getting your work published.
Ask your instructors, academic advisor, and career center for additional advice.
Canada
3rd year in Mechatronics (just finished my 2nd)
I would be applying in my final 3rd year semester for a coop internship (which is a requirement for my degree), so regarding courses I do not think there is an issue
From what I have seen from other students in my program, projects are something worth pursuing. I do understand that making something like a drone may not help me stand out against someone who went to a engineering competition (a little number of people), but it would definitely help rank above several others
Realistically speaking, I don't expect to get into any engineering competitions – perhaps I might join some others to make a project, but I can't rely on what isn't certain – especially given my taking of 5 courses for next semester.
Your advice is helpful and I appreciate it. Since I would still like to make some kind of project that'd get me practical experience (which I am NOT getting in university), would a drone be good or is there anything else? I might solder things, I might design parts and 3D prints, will definitely be using Arduino. All the stuff that looks good on a resumé
So this really changed my view. My teammate says that we're gonna have to be doing stuff like this Math + we're university students so we gotta manage our time wisely.
Long story short – leaving the drone plan due to complexity and deciding to work on an RC car.
Is this an okay decision based on the complexity of a drone. I mean we could do single-rotor but I don't know how tought that would be. Perhaps reduce complexity by using existing libraries (not sure how impressive this would look on a resumé)
would make me think about what you are really trying to demonstrate and the type of internship you're aiming for. If you're focused on drones, especially if you understand all the code, it might show strong software engineering and math skills, but it leans less toward Mechatronics (Drones, especially complex ones, are not particularly unique anymore and might lean too heavily on software and control theory).
Other projects could demonstrate a well-rounded ability to integrate mechanics, electronics, and control systems, which are more aligned with Mechatronics and would stand out more to potential employers. (RC car are not particularly innovative though... you might want to consider projects that better showcase your abilities).
➜ so ask yourself what type of skills you want to acquire and "advertise" through this project. What will be the story telling if you get an interview, what's your dream company you want to work for, what do they do, what do they need — and if you don't make it to your dream company, are those skills opening up a large enough market of potential internships?