Design and Structural Validation of a Micro-UAV with On-Board Dynamic Route Planning

TL;DR

This paper presents a lightweight, modular micro-UAV designed for search and rescue, featuring structural reinforcement and real-time dynamic path planning using open-source software, suitable for rough terrains and hazardous environments.

Contribution

The work introduces a fully custom, low-cost micro-UAV with enhanced structural durability and onboard dynamic route planning capabilities using open-source tools.

Findings

Successfully demonstrated impact resistance and durability in rough terrains

Achieved real-time adaptive navigation without expensive hardware

Built with commonly available components for affordability

Abstract

Micro aerial vehicles are becoming increasingly important in search and rescue operations due to their agility, speed, and ability to access confined spaces or hazardous areas. However, designing lightweight aerial systems presents significant structural, aerodynamic, and computational challenges. This work addresses two key limitations in many low-cost aerial systems under two kilograms: their lack of structural durability during flight through rough terrains and inability to replan paths dynamically when new victims or obstacles are detected. We present a fully customised drone built from scratch using only commonly available components and materials, emphasising modularity, low cost, and ease of assembly. The structural frame is reinforced with lightweight yet durable materials to withstand impact, while the onboard control system is powered entirely by free, open-source software solutions. The proposed system demonstrates real-time perception and adaptive navigation capabilities without relying on expensive hardware accelerators, offering an affordable and practical solution for real-world search and rescue missions.