Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study presents the development of a low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) employing cardboard as the primary structural material and integrating affordable avionics. The wing spar was constructed entirely from cardboard, and its structural performance was experimentally validated through load testing. To address the limitations of low-cost motion sensors, a custom centrifugal acceleration testing device was designed and utilized to evaluate sensor accuracy. Furthermore, an in-house flight control computer (FCC) and avionics suite were developed to achieve low-cost implementation. Flight tests demonstrated that the proposed cardboard-based UAV achieved stable autonomous flight. The findings confirm the feasibility of combining ultra-low-cost structural materials with low-cost avionics, highlighting the potential of this platform for educational and research applications.
Source: Drones
Authors: Yong-Deok Park, Tae-Wook Kim, Hun-Kee Kim
Institutions: Inha University, Inha Technical College
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
Award: G8964755119
OpenAlex ID: W4417240264