Hello! I write this post to look for recommendations for a new drone platform for a very long multi year project I want to get started on. Here is what I what I need it for, which is mostly what makes this complicated. I am a climber and I have been working on this project; an early version of what I have built that gives me a route (what a climber would call the beta) of the climbing line and I then climb it. Here is a short video :
My goal is to use a drone that sort of flies a bit overhead and behind me and 3D scans the route ahead of me and then I use the algorithm that I’m working on to come up with the beta that is fed to me. (Normally through an audio read out like left crimp, right jug, left rock over etc).
So I need a drone recommendation, and here is the criteria for this (I’m going to list it out in order of preference):
- stability of platform I’ve already broken a drone while flying it next to a cliff. The success case for this is a multiputch route at 300 ft going upto 2400 feet with temperatures varying from 8c to 24c optimally. Wind speeds is the real concern with gusts upto 12mph
- Modifiability, I tried a DJI and although they are kinda stable in the winds the platform itself is not very good at tracking me and relaying signals back to my laptop where the beta shall be figured out. I need something like python or something so I can code some image tracking stuff so the drone consistently tracks me and avoids obstacles. (Also suggestions about obstacle avoidance maybe using the arduino depth sensors around the drone would be very helpful) so a highly modifiable and codable flight controller is what I need.
- Costs, I do have a sponsor and help for the software so there is a nebulous but largeish budget for this
- Something foldable that I can carry with the rest of my gear to remote places. I also want to fly it in the gym so I’d like something that is not gigantic and a huge risk to everyone there (I’ll fly it when there is nobody there and just my lead partner, but I’d like to not damage stuff)
- flight time, outdoors on average a pitch takes me 10-20 mins to climb if it’s very hard. Worst case senario I need 25 mins of flight time for me to swap batteries and such.
Now I understand that this is probably a very custom rig. But any leads on flight controllers and other equipment would be very helpful for me to get started. The actual drone itself i imagine will have to be custom fabricated but if there is something out there I would greatly appreciate it along with camera recommendations and stuff. I’m essentially looking for a discussion on a decent list of started equipment so that I can start this before the summer and get some experience on it.
Lastly for context: I have flown drones and rc planes before. I’m also familiar with putting them together and I understand what an esc etc is so we can talk about recommendations directly!
Thanks! I look forward to suggestions!
My goal is to use a drone that sort of flies a bit overhead and behind me and 3D scans the route ahead of me and then I use the algorithm that I’m working on to come up with the beta that is fed to me. (Normally through an audio read out like left crimp, right jug, left rock over etc).
So I need a drone recommendation, and here is the criteria for this (I’m going to list it out in order of preference):
- stability of platform I’ve already broken a drone while flying it next to a cliff. The success case for this is a multiputch route at 300 ft going upto 2400 feet with temperatures varying from 8c to 24c optimally. Wind speeds is the real concern with gusts upto 12mph
- Modifiability, I tried a DJI and although they are kinda stable in the winds the platform itself is not very good at tracking me and relaying signals back to my laptop where the beta shall be figured out. I need something like python or something so I can code some image tracking stuff so the drone consistently tracks me and avoids obstacles. (Also suggestions about obstacle avoidance maybe using the arduino depth sensors around the drone would be very helpful) so a highly modifiable and codable flight controller is what I need.
- Costs, I do have a sponsor and help for the software so there is a nebulous but largeish budget for this
- Something foldable that I can carry with the rest of my gear to remote places. I also want to fly it in the gym so I’d like something that is not gigantic and a huge risk to everyone there (I’ll fly it when there is nobody there and just my lead partner, but I’d like to not damage stuff)
- flight time, outdoors on average a pitch takes me 10-20 mins to climb if it’s very hard. Worst case senario I need 25 mins of flight time for me to swap batteries and such.
Now I understand that this is probably a very custom rig. But any leads on flight controllers and other equipment would be very helpful for me to get started. The actual drone itself i imagine will have to be custom fabricated but if there is something out there I would greatly appreciate it along with camera recommendations and stuff. I’m essentially looking for a discussion on a decent list of started equipment so that I can start this before the summer and get some experience on it.
Lastly for context: I have flown drones and rc planes before. I’m also familiar with putting them together and I understand what an esc etc is so we can talk about recommendations directly!
Thanks! I look forward to suggestions!
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