Recent content by henpax

Here we are.. skates fit perfectly when mounted on P4P legs, and during first tests in a pool the result was exactly as expected: the drone remains steadily upright even with some wave simulation. I would say it is quite impossible to capsize it. When powered on and with propellers in idle mode...

Thank you for your suggestions, that's exactly what I'm gonna do. I'll let you know..

If you mean this, yes they are intended to be quickly clipped on P4P legs, and easily removed as well to replace it back into its original case. Next week with friend's help I should be able to record some test video on water (small lake), then I'll post it on YouTube..

You are right, when I designed it the first time I didn't think I would ever published photos as I did here.. that had to be a "personal" experiment. As I'm still developing this project, I'm gonna remove every logo from it. Thank you for your suggestion.

They are 3D printed, then thoroughly levigated with fine sandpaper, treated with waterproof product and painted. A second prototipe would follow another production line: legs created with casting mold (far stronger than 3D printed plastics) and floating skates carved with automatic 3D cutter...

Thank you. You are absolutely right! When I started this project I kept in mind nothing could save our birds from an hard fall from the sky (parachute, maybe? ;-)).. these skates allow the drone to gently land and take off from water, and I hope they can maintain it afloat even if capsized...

Thank you for your suggestion. I tried to keep clear the space between legs to not interfere with camera and downward sensors, but you are right: a cross brace would give more resistance to the skates and to drone legs as well.. this is my first prototipe, after some test I will consider if...

Yes I saw those floating dishes, one of the few existing options.. leaving apart they are awful in my humble opinion, their mount system seems flimsy and somehow interfering with camera (mainly when pointed down) and with landing/downward sensors..

This might be an option. As soon as I can, I'm gonna test them on a lake, taking off and landing on water more or less like a sea copter.. I'll let you know..

Yes they are intended to keep the drone upright: the "triangular shaped" central body aims to reduce their out-of-the-water mass, and helps air from the propellers to flow aside. The larger "bulbs" at the endings should instead give more resistance to submersion

Work in progress.. my P4P seems to be ok with the weight I added to its legs to simulate the skates. Battery duration is only a couple minutes shorter than in standard conditions. I agree, maybe it could result in some extra difficulties when flying during windy days, but I don't think to risk...