Project: Development of an auto-pilot system for the VISICOPTER helicopter. Application to aerial image acquisition to support precision agriculture.

Title:	Development of an auto-pilot system for the VISICOPTER helicopter. Application to aerial image acquisition to support precision agriculture.
Authors:	A. Sánchez J. Zamora C. Fernández R. Palacios
Dates:	October 2005 - October 2007
Contractor:	Univ. Pontificia Comillas
Description:	The analysis of aerial images can be applied to optimise plantation’s fumigation. In order to decrease image acquisition costs, a system based on a small helicopter is being developed to identify regions requiring additional fumigation by image processing of photography taken with onboard cameras. The objective of the current proposal is to develop an auto-pilot system able to stabilise the helicopter and able to guide the helicopter in the region of study without needing to have any expert on piloting helicopters. The auto-pilot proposed is mainly based on gyroscopes for stabilisation and GPS satellite signals for guidance. It is crucial to develop a dynamic model of the helicopter in order adjust control algorithms that will stabilise the aircraft under weather perturbation. A good model will also allow for successful landing and takeoff operations.
Short name:	HELICOP-II

Institute for Research in Technology — Instituto de Investigación Tecnológica