Interest-Research: A framework for automatic recharging

[DroneCharge]

Hi. We're working on a project (codenamed "DroneCharge") for automatically replacing and recharging drones as they perform a specified task. In relation to that, we'd like your feedback as drone-application developers. We've made a short survey linked at the bottom to gauge interest, as well as request you to write a comment in this thread with suggestions and feedback. Thank you for your time.

What is DroneCharge?
We're building a prototype of a framework that will allow drone-developers to have their aerial (helicopter) drones automatically return to a charging station when the battery nears depletion, and to have what ever task the drone was doing taken over by another drone. This would allow long-running tasks to be performed by drones that were previously hindered by battery constraints, without having to implement the functionality your self.

How do you use it?
To use this framework, application developers need to define how to control the drone in question by implementing the following commands in a "drone-driver" (Currently a python subclass):

• How to retrieve drone orientation
• How to turn the drone X degrees along the Z axis (for turning the drone)
• How to move the drone forward
• How to retrieve batttery life
• How to retrieve the drones position in whatever coordinate system is used.

All of the above commands could be implemented either by contacting the drone directly, or through a secondary system. This, for instance, enables drones that do not have native positioning-capabilities to utilize the framework through other means such as a sensor network that reports location.

The task to be performed also needs to be defined, but thanks to the framework, this is easily done by using higher level commands such as moveTo(x,y,z). An example of a task that patrols in a straight line, taking a picture at every turn could be:

drone.moveTo(0,0,10) // HIGH-LEVEL COMMAND
drone.takePicture() // DRONE-SPECIFIC COMMAND
drone.moveTo(0,10,10) // HIGH-LEVEL COMMAND
drone.takePicture() // DRONE-SPECIFIC COMMAND

Specific types of subtasks for looping a set of commands will be available.

The framework will hook in after every highlevel command and take neccesary action should a recharge be neccesary. Should something drone-specific be required to run, such as taking a picture in the above example, the specific drone-driver can implement this functionality to allow for this.

Survey:
http://kwiksurveys.com/app/rendersurvey ... itcraze.se
Please take a moment to answer this ultra-short survey and to note any worries or thoughts you might have about:
- Including this framework in a project
- Perceived limitations to your drone-application if you are to use this framework
- Are there any features you would like to see included?

[SuperRoach]

You may have trouble getting position logged like this - because you won't have accuracy over time (drift).
To properly do this, you would need to look into having a GPS Style module to be able to lock a position in as the "return to base"