Autonomous Distributed Aerial Observation System Using Electric Ducted Fan Micro Aerial Vehicles

We propose a distributed aerial observation system concept, the low-cost aerial photography system (LCAPS), aimed primarily at disaster management. LCAPS uses a number of small, simple, low-cost electric ducted fan (EDF)-propelled vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) micro aerial vehicles (MAVs), each equipped with a digital camera and wireless communication system. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster such as an earthquake, these MAVs simultaneously capture aerial photographs which are sent to a disaster response headquarters via ground networks or satellite communication systems and used to rapidly construct large, detailed hazard maps. LCAPS will be cheaper and faster than any current conventional information gathering method such as manned helicopters, airplanes, or observation satellites. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of EDF MAVs, we have developed a prototype vehicle and confirmed its basic performance by numerical simulation and initial flight testing.