Faculty Advisor
Ciaraldi, Michael J.
Faculty Advisor
Looft, Fred J.
Sponsor
Autonomous Cargo Aircraft Project
Abstract
Development of autonomy in fly-by-wire aircraft has long been limited to multi-million dollar systems, or large remotely operated vehicles due to regulatory restrictions and the difficulty of designing a system around existing light aircraft. This report summarises the development of an experimental, optionally piloted aircraft with the capability of fully autonomous decision making and controlled flight. Particular time is spent discussing the safety features of the mechanical and electrical systems, as well as a novel control system design for light aircraft autopilots. This phase of the project included independant ground tests of all electromechanical systems, and simulator tests of all autoflight software. The next phase of the project will include flight testing.
Publisher
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Date Accepted
April 2017
Major
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Major
Robotics Engineering
Major
Computer Science
Project Type
Major Qualifying Project
Copyright Statement
All authors have granted to WPI a nonexclusive royalty-free license to distribute copies of the work, subject to other agreements. Copyright is held by the author or authors, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.
Accessibility
Unrestricted
Advisor Department
Computer Science
Advisor Department
Electrical and Computer Engineering