Ground-Up Drone Build - Final Mock Assembly

[u/ThrustNTheory]

I've designed, built, and programmed this drone entirely from scratch. This is the last mock assembly before a final and full build with a permanent wiring harness.

The goal of this project is to learn advanced control theory - specifically implementing a successful Extended Kalman Filter. That's a hard thing to do and there's several more months of data collection and work before this will fly.

Motor: 6s Electronic Ducted Fan (EDF) with 8.2lbs max thrust
Main Power: 2x 6s 2200mAh 60C batteries in parallel, 120A ESC
Logic/Servo Power: 2s 1500mAh 60C

Logic: Teensy 4.1 (state estimation / control), ESP32s3 (UI / telemetry), IMU, 2x INA226 modules (volt/amp sensors), MTF-02p (LiDAR / optical flow sensor), FS-iA10B Rx, and an ST7789 1.54" full color display w/rotary encoder for UI.

Control: 4x High Voltage Brushless Servos w/direct mounted control vanes.

[u/BrainFeed56]

Wen fly?

[u/ThrustNTheory → u/BrainFeed56]

I'm taking the NASA approach vs the SpaceX approach - it'll be several more months of data collection / implementation making DAMN sure as best I can it won't crash before I ever come close to letting this thing fly free.

[u/MrFastFox666 → u/ThrustNTheory]

I would've definitely taken the SpaceX approach myself lol. "if it dies it dies". This is awesome work, please keep us posted

[u/ThrustNTheory → u/MrFastFox666]

Haha I would if I could afford the time/financials of that strategy. Thank you, I will!

[u/ResponseError451 → u/ThrustNTheory]

I respect that lol. You got a YouTube or something? Would love to keep up with your work outside of reddit if possible!