Narayan, Rohan: The Advanced Control of Autonomous Quadrotors

Title: The Advanced Control of Autonomous Quadrotors

Name: Rohan Narayan

Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering

School affiliation: School of Engineering

Programs: Aresty Summer Science Program

Other contributors: Laurent Burlion

Abstract: Various algorithms and stability techniques are being implemented through drone research to further the field in controlling drones. Expanding this field of research is paramount in automating drones and improving their efficiency for military and commercial uses. The University of Zurich’s Robotics and Perception Group has been researching quadrotors and have proposed a set of algorithms that improve the control of drones. The goal of this study is to see if an autonomous quadrotor can be programmed to fly through a course faster than a manned drone, using the framework and set of algorithms presented by the University of Zurich. The RotorS Gazebo plugins which are designed to simulate a quadrotor’s environment, will be used to remotely test the algorithms. Additionally, the Robotics and Perception Group’s suggested quadrotor hardware assembly will be used to build a drone and test the algorithms in a controlled environment in the future in order to test the hypothesis that an autonomous quadrotor can fly through a course faster than a manned drone. Before the drone can be fully built, the various components of the drone were tested remotely away from the lab to set up the construction of the drone. The results of this research will further the field of drone stability and enhance algorithms to make autonomous drones more efficient than manned drones. Ultimately, this can be used for military, surveillance, and even delivery uses as drones are being implemented to improve those areas.