Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
31 Mobile eVTOL Handling and Docking Platform
 Carol Xu
Haowen Chen
Shu Yang
Yuchen Zhang
 Meng Zhang
#Problem

Current quad-rotor eVTOL aircraft require a ground handling method that can safely support lifting, short-distance transfer, and accurate docking during parking, storage, and maintenance operations. Manual handling or improvised support equipment can lead to poor positioning accuracy, unstable lowering, inefficient turnaround, and increased risk of damage to the aircraft structure during ground operations. For repeated use in confined service environments, a dedicated ground support platform is needed to move the aircraft smoothly from its parking stand to a designated storage bay or maintenance station and place it in a stable, controlled, and repeatable manner.

#Solution Overview

The eVTOL Ground Support Lift-and-Transfer System is a ground support platform designed for quad-rotor eVTOL aircraft to enable lifting, short-distance transfer, and precise placement during ground operations. The system lifts the aircraft from its parking position using a motor-driven lifting mechanism and securely supports it during handling. A wheeled mobile platform allows the aircraft to be smoothly transported to a designated storage bay or maintenance station. Alignment guides and positioning stops assist with accurate docking, ensuring stable and repeatable placement. An Arduino-based control system coordinates lifting, movement, and safety monitoring to achieve controlled, reliable, and safe ground handling of the eVTOL aircraft.

#Solution Components

##Lifting Subsystem

-Load-bearing support structure for holding the eVTOL during handling
-Motor-driven lifting mechanism for controlled raising and lowering
-Contact interface that securely engages the aircraft landing structure
-Travel limit detection to prevent overextension during vertical motion
-Arduino-based control logic for stable lift and lower operation

##Mobility Subsystem

-Wheel and drive assembly for smooth movement between locations
-Braking or locking feature to keep the platform stationary during lifting and docking
-Low-speed motion control for safe operation in confined ground environments

##Docking and Positioning Subsystem

-Alignment guides for directing the eVTOL into the target position
-Positioning stops for repeatable final placement
-Sensors for detecting docking status and placement alignment
-Feedback-based control sequence for precise and stable final positioning

##Central Control and Safety Subsystem

-Arduino microcontroller for coordinating lifting, transfer, and docking actions
-Sensor input processing for position, motion, and limit monitoring
-Emergency stop and motion interlock logic for operational safety

#Criteria of Success

The system will be considered successful if it can safely lift a quad-rotor eVTOL aircraft from its parking position, transport it over a short ground distance, and accurately place it at a designated storage or maintenance location. The lifting mechanism must provide stable vertical motion without structural instability, while the mobility platform must enable smooth and controlled movement. The docking system should allow repeatable and precise positioning of the aircraft. In addition, the control system must reliably coordinate lifting, movement, and safety functions, including limit detection and emergency stop capability, ensuring safe and stable operation throughout the handling process.

Fixed wing drone with auto-navigation

Ziyang An, Zhanhao He, Yihui Li, Zhibo Teng

Featured Project

# Fixed wing drone with auto-navigation

## Group Members

**Zhibo Teng** NetID: zhibot2

**Yihui Li** NetID: yihuil2

**Ziyang An** NetID: ziyanga2

**Zhanhao He** NetID: zhanhao5

## Problem

Traditional methods of data collection, such as using manned aircraft or ground surveys, can be time-consuming, expensive, and limited in their ability to access certain areas. The multi-rotor airfoil UAV being used now has slow flight speed and short single distance, which is not suitable for some long-distance operations. Moreover, it needs manual control, so it has low convenience. Fixed wing drones with auto-navigation can overcome these limitations by providing a cost-effective and flexible solution for aerial data collection.

The motivation behind our design is to provide a reliable and efficient way to collect high-quality data from the air, which can improve decision-making processes for a variety of industries. The drone can fly pre-determined flight paths, making it easier to cover large areas and collect consistent data. The auto-navigation capabilities can also improve the accuracy of the data collected, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing the risk of errors.

## Solution Overview

Our design is a fixed wing drone with auto-navigation capabilities that is optimized for aerial data collection. The drone is equipped with a range of sensors and cameras, as well as software that allows it to fly pre-determined flight paths and collect data in a consistent and accurate manner. Our design solves the problem of inefficient and costly aerial data collection by providing a cost-effective and flexible solution that can cover large areas quickly and accurately. The auto-navigation capabilities of the drone enable it to fly pre-determined flight paths, which allows for consistent and repeatable data collection. This reduces the need for manual intervention, which can improve the accuracy of the data and minimize the risk of errors. Additionally, the drone’s compact size and ability to access difficult-to-reach areas can make it an ideal solution for industries that require detailed aerial data collection.

## Solution Components

### Subsystem #1: Aircraft Structure and Design

* Design the overall structure of the plane, including the wings, fuselage, and tail section

* Use 3D modeling software to create a digital model of the plane

* Choose materials for construction based on their weight, durability, and strength

* Create a physical model of the plane using 3D printing or laser cutting

### Subsystem #2: Flight Control System

* Implement a flight control system that can be operated both manually and automatically

* For manual control, design a control panel that includes a joystick and other necessary controls

* For automatic control, integrate a flight controller module that can be programmed with waypoints and flight parameters

* Choose appropriate sensors for detecting altitude, speed, and orientation of the plane

* Implement algorithms for stabilizing the plane during flight and adjusting control surfaces for directional control

### Subsystem #3: Power and Propulsion

* Choose a suitable motor and propeller to provide the necessary thrust for the plane

* Design and integrate a battery system that can power the motor and control systems for a sufficient amount of time

* Implement a power management system that can monitor the battery voltage and ensure safe operation of the plane

### Subsystem #4: Communication and Telemetry

* Implement a wireless communication system for transmitting telemetry data and controlling the plane remotely

* Choose a suitable communication protocol such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth

* Develop a user interface for displaying telemetry data and controlling the plane from a mobile device or computer

## Criterion for Success

1. Design and complete the UAV model including wings, fuselage, and tail section

2. The UAV can fly normally in the air and realize the control of the UAV, including manual and automatic control

3. To realize the data monitoring of UAV in flight, including location, speed and altitude

## Distribution of Work

**Zhibo Teng:** Aircraft Structure and Design

**Yihui Li:** Aircraft Structure and Design

**Ziyang An:** Flight Control System Power and Propulsion

**Zhanhao He:** Flight Control System Communication and Telemetry