Is it possible to build a sophisticated Drone?

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi.

I have no experience at all with Arduino. I would like to know if it is possible to build a drone capable of flying autonomous, GPS-guided, travel long distances (at least 60 km), record video, emit a lasser light.

I would like to program the whole route (coordinates), when to change altitud, when to record video and when to emit the lasser light.

If it were possible to build it with arduino, would it be a too complex project?, I mean, do I need to be an expert in some particular knowledge area?.

Thanks so much.

2

I would like to know if it is possible to build a drone capable of flying autonomous, GPS-guided, travel long distances (at least 60 km),

Ask your local legislators

3

Arduino's are micro controllers, they are compatible with a lot of hardware. If you have the proper hardware and software skills, which is doubtful (no offense, it seems like a extremely difficult project), it might theoretically be possible. But a single Arduino to drive all that technology seems far fetched, you will likely need more advanced platforms such as a SOC with a CPU, multithreading, etc.

Perhaps you should tell us a little more about your use case. What are you planning with this? You might be able to buy a quadcopter type RC that does something similar.

4

sanroman:
I have no experience at all with Arduino.

Pray tell - what do you have experience in?

sanroman:
I would like to know if it is possible to build a drone capable of flying autonomous, GPS-guided, travel long distances (at least 60 km), record video, emit a lasser light.

Yes.

sanroman:
I would like to program the whole route (coordinates), when to change altitud, when to record video and when to emit the lasser light.

This is doable as well.

sanroman:
If it were possible to build it with arduino,

At the size of drone you are talking about (weight carrying, if not physical size) - and all of the other needs you are wanting the drone to perform - an Arduino (probably multiple) would only act in support roles; your main "controller" should be something more powerful (you'll have the payload capability and space, and money won't be the issue either because this drone will cost you $$$$ - so why not?).

sanroman:
would it be a too complex project?, I mean, do I need to be an expert in some particular knowledge area?.

It would be a very complex project. As AWOL has alluded to, various legislation (or lack thereof) alone for your neck of the woods may very well prohibit you (note - you couldn't do this currently in the USA - not legally, anyway).

Even if drones weren't prohibited, you would still likely have to navigate the air-traffic authority for your area (aka here in the USA, its the FAA) - file flight plans, etc. Such a drone is going to be large and heavy; collisions with other aircraft and/or buildings is very possible.

As far as being "an expert" - well, probably not a bona-fide expert, but you're going to want a great knowledge of:

  • Drone Design and Construction (plus the rarefied area of "engine powered drone tech")
  • GPS waypoint finding/following (plus perhaps geofencing)
  • Flight telemetry
  • Knowledge of cellular and/or sat phone systems for telemetry and control/monitoring
  • Some form of artificial intelligence will likely be needed
  • Path planning and following
  • Robotics (obviously)
  • Experience operating a multi-copter would be a must
  • I'm sure a database will be involved somewhere
  • Plus all the other software, of course...

This is nowhere near an "exhaustive list", by the way. Building a multi-rotor machine like you are suggesting by yourself - while possible - isn't something you just wake up one day and decide to do with no prior experience; that's a recipe for an expensive failure. Careful planning, research and consideration of various plans and ideas (not to mention a ton of individual system bench and flight testing) should and must be done.

It might be best to tackle this project with a knowledgeable and experienced team in the end.

5

Thanks so much for your kind and very complete information.

My intention with the drone is nothing illegal, was thinking in some surveillance/notification of a big evacuation area, but wanted to know the size of the project from people like you, with experience in arduino.

You are right, I need to plan this with a complete team, and of course, to get the authorization to fly it.

Thanks again.