Written By:
If you’re shopping for the best drone, you may consider how to build a drone with Raspberry Pi. While building a drone sounds daunting, it’s a project that most tech-minded hobbyists can handle. And a Raspberry Pi board can operate as the companion computer of your drone project and serve as a connection point for the core electrical components. So, if you want to take your Pi project to the skies, keep reading.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The process is similar to building an FPV drone from scratch, but you connect a Raspberry Pi as a companion computer to the flight controller. Then, a Pi user can program complex controls or drone moves into the computer. In addition, users can calibrate the drone and attain remote control over motor speed, battery life, and device-to-device communication.
Insider Tip
It is unsafe and potentially unlawful to perform drone actions around people, animals, or private property.
Before beginning this project, you can 3d print the drone body if you’d prefer not to purchase one, but you will need access to the battery connector. If your drone uses a LiPo battery, it should be removable if you ever need to get on a plane with the drone.
STEP 1
Build the Body
STEP 2
Attach the Raspberry Pi to the Dampening Plate
STEP 3
Adhere the Raspberry Pi to the Drone Body
STEP 4
Attach the Flight Controller to the Raspberry Pi
STEP 5
Install the Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs) and Arms
STEP 6
Connect the Motors to the Arms and ESCs
STEP 7
Install the Drone Battery
STEP 8
Mount the Camera and Video System
Warning
If you do not invest the required time to master the complex controls of your flight stick, you will likely crash your drone.
STEP 9
Connect the FPV System to the PDB
STEP 10
Finish the Drone Body
STEP 11
Program the Raspberry Pi
STEP 12
Test Your Drone
STAT: According to a 2017 Pew Research Center survey, 45% of Americans think drones should not fly at events like concerts, parades, or rallies. (source)
F.A.Q.S
Is it cheaper to build a drone or buy one?
Buying a commercial drone is much cheaper than building a sturdy DIY model. A custom build requires you to purchase parts like the power distribution board or a basic WiFi dongle separately, which raises the cost of your drone.
Do drones have autopilot?
Many modern models utilize AI-access over drone functions and flight objectives. For example, commercial drones in the shipping industry can lift and deliver cargo without analog control. In addition, users can program DIY raspberry pi drones to perform special maneuvers or auto-tracking tasks.
Which motors are used in drones?
Most commercial drones feature brushless motors due to the equation of power to weight. The electronics and boards for quadcopters can weigh enough that you need brushless motors to get the proper speed and movement. In addition, the motors for quadcopters and drones need enough motor power to keep the drone stable during abrupt movements like flips and barrel rolls.
REFERENCES: