Quanser Engineering Consulting Company Uses Draganflyer X6 UAV For Autopilot Design

Quanser is an engineering consulting company, specializing in the production of mechanical systems and educational technology. One of their most recent experiments involved modifying the Draganflyer X6 UAV to include a full autopilot, able to fly to pre-assigned way points.

With it’s 6 brushless motors, 600 gram payload capacity, and flight stabilization software, the Draganflyer X6 makes the perfect platform for autopilot development. Quanser engineers were able to successfully interface a Gumstix computer board to the Draganflyer X6 flight systems, giving them complete control over the UAVs flight. The interface between the X6 UAV flight computer and Gumstix module is handled by the VAL, or Vehicle Abstraction Layer. Programming the VAL allows the engineers to develop high level programs, which run on a number of UAVs.

Gumstix circuit boards are actually fully functional computers, running the open source Linux operating system. Able to run on only 5 volts of electrical power, and measuring only a few centimeters in length, the Gumstix micro controllers are perfect for use on UAVs and other robotic platforms. Being open source, it’s extremely easy to develop interfaces to other software and hardware devices.

Current projects involve sending the Draganflyer X6 UAV to different GPS way points, and the color recognition of objects on the ground. Eventually, the Quanser team wants to program the Draganflyer X6 to interact with other ground and air vehicles in simulated missions. We look forward to seeing more of Quanser’s developments with the Draganflyer X6 UAV Helicopter.