Electronic Instrumentation of an Educational Bench for Angular Aero Control of Multirotors in Partnership with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ).

• Grant number: 25/05613-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 20, 2025
• End date: October 19, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Electrical, Magnetic and Electronic Measurements, Instrumentation
• Principal Investigator: André Carmona Hernandes
• Grantee: Eduarda Rodrigues Sproesser
• Supervisor: Stefano Mintchev
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/10751-5 - Electronic Instrumentation of an Educational Bench for Angular Aero Control of Multirotors, BP.IC

Abstract

This research internship at the Environmental Robotics Laboratory (ERL) at ETHZurich, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Stefano Mintchev, focuses on advancing embeddedinstrumentation for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in challenging environments. UAVsare extensively used in sectors such as surveillance, inspection, delivery, agriculture,mapping, and rescue operations. However, ensuring their operational safety, precision,and adaptability remains a critical challenge. Building on my prior FAPESP research(2023/10751-5) in state monitoring sensors for a drone bench test, this project primarilyaims to interpret data from optical tactile sensors, utilizing computer vision techniques toenable UAVs to detect and interact with obstacles.The study focuses on optimizing the visual tracking of Aruco markers mounted ona half-sphere dome under real-world conditions, including variable outdoor illumination.This involves integrating cameras and enhancing marker design, alongside validating thesystem's functionality in practical scenarios. While the primary focus is on sensor datainterpretation, contributions to design and prototyping will also be made, ensuring thesensor system meets operational requirements. By validating the system's functionalityin everyday situations, the project aims to enhance UAV interaction capabilities andadaptability in complex environments.Additionally, the research seeks to establish a robust framework for integratingtactile sensors into UAV platforms, providing direct benefits to ongoing projects at theLaboratory of Robotics (LabRob) at USP. This collaboration with ERL aligns with effortsto advance autonomous systems, providing practical solutions and setting a foundation forfuture innovations in aerial robotics.