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Tetrahedral and Dodecahedral UASs, Structured Designs

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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Applications: Challenges and Trends

Part of the book series: Synthesis Lectures on Intelligent Technologies ((SLIT))

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Abstract

Modular robotic systems offer an attractive edge in terms of adaptability, configurability, scalability and reliability; they are easy to maintain, manufacture, store, and transport. We introduce a variety of modular designs for unmanned aerial robotic systems based on tetrahedral and dodecahedral shapes. These modules, once connected with each other, allow the operator to build customizable vehicles with desirable structural and aerodynamic characteristics. Some of these designs are directly influenced by fractal geometry, following and building upon the early works of Alexander Graham Bell and his kites shaped after Sierpiński tetrahedra. Combining the possibility of building modules that contain both propulsive elements and lifting surfaces, a vertical take-off and landing modular UAV structure is introduced. In addition to their aerodynamic and structural characteristics, control strategies for large assemblies of powered modules are discussed, including ways to leverage the presence of multiple, redundant avionics provided by the multiple modules.

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Acknowledgements

This book chapter was written by Bilal Maassarani based on the input, works and publications of all the authors. Section 5.1 was written by Mohamad T. Shahab and edited by Bilal. All research done by the authors and presented in this work was supervised by Professor Eric Feron. The authors are grateful for the help and support received from numerous entities including sponsors, colleagues, peers, friends and family. Special thanks for Thanakorn Khamvilai and Kuat Telegenov.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia

    Bilal Maassarani, Mohamad T. Shahab, Obadah Wali & Eric Feron

  2. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0250, USA

    Jeremy Epps

  3. University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA

    Kévin Garanger

Authors
  1. Bilal Maassarani
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  2. Jeremy Epps
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  3. Kévin Garanger
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  4. Mohamad T. Shahab
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  5. Obadah Wali
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  6. Eric Feron
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bilal Maassarani .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Robotics and Internet of Things Lab, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Mohamed Abdelkader

  2. Director of the Research and Initiatives Center, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Anis Koubaa

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Maassarani, B., Epps, J., Garanger, K., Shahab, M.T., Wali, O., Feron, E. (2023). Tetrahedral and Dodecahedral UASs, Structured Designs. In: Abdelkader, M., Koubaa, A. (eds) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Applications: Challenges and Trends. Synthesis Lectures on Intelligent Technologies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32037-8_1

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