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Render of the coaxial variable-tilt octocopter prototype in a complex forest environment
One of the present research focuses within the MechatronicSystems.Group (MS.G) is multi-rotor aerial vehicles (MRAVs). Traditional MRAVs are underactuated platforms - they cannot accelerate independently along all axes, which limits manoeuvrability, control authority and flight efficiency, especially in complex environments. Such platforms typically exhibit inefficient flight characteristics, restricted control inputs and reduced fault tolerance. To address these challenges, MS.G has developed a full-scale coaxial variable-tilt octocopter prototype. By allowing each motor-propeller unit to pivot about its arm axis (variable-tilt propulsion) and by stacking two rotors per arm in a coaxial arrangement, this design enables rapid thrust-vectoring, improved fault redundancy and increased thrust without expanding vehicle dimensions. The result is an over-actuated UAV capable of arbitrary acceleration in six degrees of freedom, rendering it highly agile, dexterous and fault-tolerant - ideal for advanced navigation, inspection and rescue tasks.
The proposed vacation-work project will build upon the prototype by producing a scaled-down, fully 3D-printable version of the coaxial variable-tilt octocopter. This will be done by undertaking a CAD redesign so as to consolidate as many structural and mechanical components as possible into a single 3D-printable assembly (or minimal sub-assemblies), while maintaining the mechanical integrity and printability.
Ideal candidate(s) will possess strong CAD skills.