ELWIRA: Flying robot platform for control, guidance and mission experiments

Abstract

During 2009, the cooperation of Rödelmodell, Mavinci uG (haftungsbeschränkt) and DLR has brought forth a universal experimental platform for flying robot technologies. The airplane, Elwira, is based on Rödelmodell's model aircraft technology. With a wing-span of 4.3m and a typical payload of 14kg, it is capable of carrying most experiments to be conducted in an unmanned aerial vehicle without need for miniaturisation. Equipped with the Mavinci autopilot, Elwira is currently capable of autonomous waypoint-navigation during typical mission times of approximately 15 minutes. In November 2010, the capabilities of the system will have been extended to also include autonomous take-off and landing. This will be the basis for fully autonomous missions. With the extended endurance of new battery cells, it will allow for first tests of technology for florestal surveillance, accident rescue or inter-vehicle docking manoeuvres.