BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE PILANI
PILANI CAMPUS
Academic-Undergraduate Studies Division
Funding for First Degree Projects
Application Form
Proposal Title: Ground Rover with Docking and Charging Mechanism for Existing Quadcopter
Objective(s):
1. To develop a ground rover capable of docking with a quadcopter for automatic recharging
and off-board computing.
2. To reduce the payload on the drone by shifting computational tasks to the ground rover,
thereby increasing the drone’s flight time and overall performance.
3. To contribute to disaster management efforts by providing extended drone functionality
for search, rescue, and surveying operations.
Background of the Project:
Drones are increasingly being used in various applications, including disaster management, search and
rescue, and aerial surveying. However, one of the primary limitations is their flight time, which is
constrained by onboard batteries and the computational load for processing data in real time. By
offloading computational tasks to a ground rover equipped with a GPU and providing a docking
mechanism for recharging, this project aims to extend the operational time of drones without significantly
increasing their payload.
Scope of Project:
This project focuses on designing and building a ground rover with a robust docking and charging
mechanism, ensuring seamless integration with an existing quadcopter for autonomous recharging and
off-board computing capabilities. The system will have the following key features:
1. Advanced Docking and Charging System:
The central focus of this project is the development of a custom docking mechanism that enables
a quadcopter to autonomously land on and dock with the ground rover. The docking system will
incorporate precise alignment sensors and mechanical locks to ensure a secure and stable
connection, allowing for uninterrupted battery charging. The recharging system will be designed
to deliver optimized power transfer, minimizing downtime and maximizing the quadcopter’s
operational time. Autonomous docking will be tested under various environmental conditions to
ensure reliability in real-world scenarios, such as uneven terrains or disaster-struck areas.
2. Off-Board Computing:
The ground rover will be equipped with a GPU to handle computationally intensive tasks such as
image processing and data analysis. By offloading these processes to the rover, the quadcopter
will carry a lighter payload, enhancing its flight efficiency and extending flight duration.
3. Disaster Management Use Case:
In disaster scenarios, time and accessibility are critical. The docking and charging mechanism will
be key to enabling longer and more sustained drone missions for real-time mapping, victim
detection, and data collection in areas that are difficult or dangerous to access. The system’s
performance will be evaluated in simulated disaster environments to assess its utility and
reliability in emergency situations.
Work Plan:
1. Design Phase (Month 1-2):
o Design the rover’s body, docking mechanism, and compute unit.
o Choose the appropriate motors, ESCs, and battery setup.
2. Development Phase (Month 3-4):
o Build and assemble the rover using the chosen components.
o Integrate the docking and charging mechanism with the quadcopter.
3. Testing and Iteration Phase (Month 5-6):
o Test the rover’s charging capability and the drone’s extended flight time.
o Test the off-board computing functionality with the GPU.
4. Final Testing in Disaster Scenario (Month 7-8):
o Simulate disaster management scenarios to evaluate system performance.
Project Outcomes/Deliverables: A fully functional ground rover with a docking and charging
mechanism for the quadcopter.
Project Continuity:
This project will serve as a foundation for future research and development in autonomous docking
systems, off-board computing, and improving drone efficiency. Further extensions can focus on
integrating machine learning models for autonomous disaster response and expanding the system for
multiple drone support.
Funding Amount (Rs.): 49,768
Project Team: Team Robocon
S Name ID No. Role (Team E-mail Address Phone
No Leader/Member)
1 Ananya 2022AAPS0217P Team Leader f20220217@pilani.bits- 9871120256
Krishna pilani.ac.in
2 Shubh Singhvi 2022A3PS0357P Team Member f20220357@pilani.bits- 7506051502
pilani.ac.in
Name of the Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Pankaj Arora
Name of the department: Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Date: 12 September 2024
ANNEXURE A: FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Part A. PROPOSAL COST ESTIMATE
Equipment - List the equipment that would be purchased for the project, if applicable. Amt (Rs.)
Orange 14.8V 10000mAh 25C 4S Lithium Polymer Battery Pack X4 Rs.10,196
Orange 14.8V 10000mAh 25C 4S Lithium Polymer Battery Pack Rs. 10,999
LiPo Battery XX,XXX
SPG30E-30K DC Geared Motor with Encoder 150RPM 18N.cm 12V X4 Rs.6,564
Motors (4)
Orange PLA+ 1.75mm 3D Printing Filament 1kg- Black X3 Rs.2,547
EasyMech Gray 100mm Double Glass Fiber Omni Wheel X8 Rs.5,912
Mega 2560 R3 Board - Compatible Model High Quality x2 Rs.2,000
Pixhawk 2.4.8 Controller PX4 32 Bit Autopilot Control Board Rs. 11,550
Building Materials and Manufacturing Services
- List the materials and manufacturing services you are proposing to purchase for the project, if applicable.
Rover Frame and Manufacturing
Docking Mechanism Components
Contest, Competition, Conference Costs (Related to proposed work)
- List all expenses to participate in a conference, competition, workshop if applicable.
N/A
PROJECT FULL COST ESTIMATE Rs.49,768
Part B. PROPOSAL FUNDING ESTIMATE
C. OTHER FUNDING CONTRIBUTIONS - List all other sources of funding for your proposal, if applicable.
(Additional Funding Examples - Fundraising, Sponsorship, Participation fees, Industries, Alumni sources) Amt (Rs.)
N/A
D. REQUEST - Project Fund
(list equipment, conference fees, materials or manufacturing to be covered)
Orange 14.8V 10000mAh 25C 4S Lithium Polymer Battery Pack X4 Rs.10,196
Orange 14.8V 10000mAh 25C 4S Lithium Polymer Battery Pack Rs. 10,999
SPG30E-30K
LiPo DC Geared Motor with Encoder 150RPM 18N.cm 12V X4
Battery XX,XXX Rs.6,564
Orange PLA+ 1.75mm 3D Printing Filament 1kg- Black X3 Rs.2,547
EasyMech Gray 100mm Double Glass Fiber Omni Wheel X8 Rs.5,912
Motors (4)
Mega 2560 R3 Board - Compatible Model High Quality x2 Rs.2,000
Pixhawk 2.4.8 Controller PX4 32 Bit Autopilot Control Board Rs. 11,550
TOTAL FUNDING REQUEST FROM THE INSTITUTE Rs.49,768
