DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN AMPHIBIOUS TRICOPTER DRONE: AEROGI
Rajadurai Baskaran, Varun S Kumar, Manikandan Sekar, Malarselvam Velayudham · 2023
This research article presents the development and evaluation of an Amphibious Tricopter Drone, "Aerogi," designed to operate in air and water environments. The project aimed to bridge the research gap in creating a versatile unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of seamless transitions between aerial and aquatic modes. The study outlines the methodology, including selecting components such as brushless motors, electronic speed controllers, flight controllers, and tilting mechanisms. Extensive flight testing assessed "Aerogi's" stability, altitude performance, weight-carrying capacity, flight time, and robustness. Results demonstrate successful aerial flights with efficient take-off and landing maneuvers. While reaching the maximum target altitude proved challenging due to design limitations, "Aerogi" fulfilled weight and payload capacity targets, meeting desired flight durations. Future work may involve improving stability at higher altitudes, optimizing propulsion for increased thrust, refining the tilting mechanism, and exploring advanced imaging and autonomous capabilities. "Aerogi" represents a significant advancement in UAV technology, showcasing the potential for innovative designs integrating air and water operations. This research contributes to the field of UAVs, opening new avenues for aerial and aquatic exploration and applications.