Fab Academy2015 project: To Deliver and Retrieve  a 3D item between a Boston and an overseas sister Fab-lab via Extended AR DRone Micro Air Vehicle.

The AR Drone Extended model is designed to operate remotely and/or autonomously from here World Wide with international cellular service control capabilities.  The system would include the design and development of a Smart Booster (shipping) Case (SBC) which would increase it's distance capability both locally and internationally. 

The booster service system would consist of a common delivery service vehicle such as UPS, Federal Express DHL, etc that would deliver the SBC.   Once the AR Drone is boosted near it's location the SBC will remotely open and the drone will fly out, complete it's mission and then return to the SBC.   The SBC is completely recoverable and would close automatically and prepare for it's return voyage back to it's home port via it's common delivery vehicle.

Goals for the Fab Lab 2015 project include the following objectives:

Retrofit an AR Drone with remote cellular service control. The existing drone uses self generated WiFi to control it.   I would like to extend it's control range by adding cellular service for those purposes.

Tasks

* Identify a Cell service module for the project

* Design and make an interface board between the Cell service module and the AR Drone on board processor

* Select a language and write a program to to drive the board created

* Design and build a cell app to remotely control the drone.

      2. Retrofit the AR Drone with a Raspberry Pi (#1) to run custom programs while in flight

* Design and make an interface board between the Raspberry Pi and the AR Drone on board processor

* Select a language and write a program to to drive the board created

* Select a language and write a program to operate the drone via the Raspberry Pi

     3. Design/build a shipping (booster case) for AR Drone (the booster vehicle would be a common delivery

service such as UPS, Federal Express DHL, etc.

    Tasks

                    * Smart Booster (shipping) case equipped with motors/gears to remotely open and unfold case into an all flat position to accommodate
                     Drones remote controlled take off and landing capabilities. Booster case would be equipped with a web cam in order to monitor the
                     environment outside of case and of the Drone take off/landing

                   * Raspberry Pi (#2) would be employed to support control of Smart Booster Case web cam, motors, gears, sensors, communications, safety and security systems

* Design and make an interface board between the Raspberry Pi and the Smart Booster Case

* Select a language and write a program to to drive the board created

* Select a language and write a program to operate the booster via international Cellular service



4.   Deliver a physical 3D replica of the extended drone system to a volunteer sister Fab Lab over seas and retrieve a 3D item from that sister lab and bring it to the South End Technology
Centers Fab Lab drone port here in Boston