Project: Agricultural Drone Camera Pod Attachment
Organization: Mesa Labs, University of California Merced
Description: I used foam and 3D printed components to design and make a holder for 2 cameras on an autonomously piloted airplane used for agricultural research. The cameras are flown over a field and take photos of trees to determine the tree health. The cameras had to be protected from debris and scratching during take-off and landing but needed a clear view during flight. I programmed a servo to open a sliding element underneath the cameras when the aircraft reached above a certain altitude and to close below that altitude. This ensured that the cameras were taking photos of trees and not the closed camera holder. The power and programming was on the main flight controller.
Skills: Solidworks, 3D Printing, Aircraft Design, Arduino