Bev Facey Community High

ELT1140: Robotics Applications

Students apply the fundamentals of robotics systems and basic robotics functions.

• Prerequisite: ELT1010: Electro-assembly 1

Safety Reminder

Flying drones involves real risks to people, property, and the drone itself. Always:

• Use a cleared flight area designated by the instructor
• Keep propellers away from hands, people, pets, and objects
• Follow all Canadian regulations for drone flight
• Perform pre-flight checks for battery, GPS lock, and firmware

Theory

Complete the following tasks using a document, slide deck, video, or other approved medium:

1. Drone Systems
   • Identify the key components of a drone (frame, motors, ESCs, flight controller, sensors, battery, propellers).
   • Explain the role of each component in flight.
2. Sensors and Control
   • Describe how drones use sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer, GPS, optical flow) to maintain stability.
   • Explain the difference between manual input and autonomous stabilization.
3. Open-Loop vs Closed-Loop in Drone Flight
   • Identify which drone systems use open-loop control and which use closed-loop feedback.
   • Provide a simple block diagram showing inputs, controller, outputs, and feedback.
4. Flight Programming Basics
   • Research and explain how flight paths, waypoints, or autonomous missions are programmed in the DJI Neo (or similar platform).
   • Include examples of commands such as takeoff, hover, move forward/back, rotate, and land.
5. Troubleshooting and Safety Protocols
   • Explain common issues in drone flight (signal loss, low battery, sensor errors) and how to safely mitigate them.
   • Summarize pre-flight and post-flight checks.
6. Real-World Applications
   • Identify at least two ways drones are used in industry, agriculture, construction, or research.
   • Explain how understanding drone systems and programming can relate to careers in robotics or electro-technologies.

Practice

Simulators

1. Spend at least two class periods flying drones in various simulators:
   • Pavanandrea Quadcopter Flight Simulator
   • FPV Realistic Flight Simulator
   • FlowState (open source)
   • LiftOff Drone Simulations
   • Real Drone Simulator
   • Drone Racing League Simulator
   • FPV FreeRider or FPV Freerider Recharged
2. Perform the following flight drills in the simulator(s) of your choice:
   • take off, fly straight up 2 meters, hold for 10 seconds, then fly straight down to 0.5 meters above the ground
   • fly in a horizontal square pattern
   • fly in a vertical square pattern
   • rotate the drone in place a full 360° in each direction
   • land gently inside a target designated by another student who is acting as your spotter
   • fly a large circle around a designated target
   • fly a Figure-8 pattern
   • fly fast foward, then come to a complete stop and hover over a line without overshooting it
   • run through a series of racing gates
   • (optional advanced) perform a vertical flip, a horizontal roll, and then recover to a stable hover

Manual Flight 1

1. Prepare the drone and controller.
2. Follow the preflight checklist:
   • observe your surroundings
   • note any obstacles or hazards (for you or the drone)
   • enlist another student to serve as your spotter
   • determine your flight plan
   • ensure that others are aware you are going to launch
3. Fly the drone manually in a designated practice area, performing the following exercises:
   • takeoff and hover for 10 seconds
   • slowly move forward and backward (right stick y-axis), left and right (right stick x-axis), and up and down (left stick y-axis)
   • rotate 90° clockwise and counterclockwise (left stick y-axis)
   • land safely
4. Record some observation notes of your flight and any difficulties encountered.

Manual Flight 2

1. Prepare the drone and controller.
2. Follow the preflight checklist:
   • observe your surroundings
   • note any obstacles or hazards (for you or the drone)
   • enlist another student to serve as your spotter
   • determine your flight plan in collaboration with your spotter (e.g. around a chair and through a doorway)
   • ensure that others are aware you are going to launch
3. Fly the drone manually in a designated practice area, performing the pre-determined flight plan.
4. Record some observation notes of your flight and any difficulties encountered.

Autonomous Flight Programming

1. Using the drone’s companion app or programming interface:
   • Create a simple autonomous flight sequence:
   • Takeoff → hover → move along a predefined path → land
   • Include at least 3 waypoints or commands
2. Program one automated behavior using a sensor input, such as:
   • Altitude hold (barometer-based)
   • Obstacle avoidance (if available)
   • Return-to-home trigger (GPS-based)
3. Test your program in a controlled practice space.
4. Document:
   • Your flight plan and/or code screenshot
   • A video or screenshots of the autonomous flight
   • Any issues encountered and how you resolved them
   • Lessons learned about control and robotics principles

Reflection and Career Connections

Prepare a short document, slide deck, or video including:

1. Comparison of manual vs autonomous flight
2. Safety practices used and why they were important
3. Connection to potential careers in robotics, drone operations, or electro-technologies

Optional: Transport Canada Drone Pilot Certificate

Begin studying for a Transport Canada Drone Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations

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