[OpenRelief Developer] New User 924aussie Alan

[Shane Coughlan]

Hi Alan

As Karl said, we're looking at simple delivery systems on the test platform. Moving towards things like large payloads and refrigeration is beyond its capacity. But do let us know more about the precise requirements for the challenge you want to undertake. 

I understand the outback challenge in Australia essentially has two categories; one for search and rescue and one for airborne delivery. From what you said, I guess you are planning to enter the former category:
http://www.uavoutbackchallenge.com.au/index.cfm?contentID=5
This is a test to encourage UAV development for medical purposes. The device must carry "500ml of 'life saving' water," fly a 2nm x 2nm grid not further than 5nm from the airdrome, and then return to base. The winning entrant in this category will get AU$50,000.

We can basically do that with the current airframe using the system Karl outlined below.

Here's what I suggest. We work together to refine the OpenRelief system, learn from it, and - as needed - get an improved generation two system with longer range and payload into commission. If you use an OpenRelief-based system in the Outback challenge, we use that as a chance to advertise OpenRelief and encourage more people to join in and help us develop the technology. 

The prize money? That can be worked out. But what I suggest is that if an OpenRelief-derived plane wins, then a donation of some of the prize to help further develop OpenRelief technology would be awesome. We will have an NGO for this project operational from June. :)

Shane

On Apr 28, 2012, at 7:03 PM, Karl Lattimer wrote:
> Wow, thanks for getting in touch, I'm guessing your project hasn't started yet? 
> 
> We're working with the ardupilot at the minute and just working out the final parts of our FPV 168 build, I'm presently screwing linkages onto the airframe which is the final stage of the mechanics for the first FPV, tomorrow we'll be completing the second one. 
> 
> I'm very interested in civilian applications myself, my reasoning is this: If people are to have a disaster relief drone system available in time for disaster they should be "ready to go" when disaster occurs - thinking in terms of exactly how we have drones maintained by a population at risk led me to the conclusion that if drones were in common use by farmers, land managers etc, for a variety of tasks they would be well maintained and have the benefit of our OpenCV vision system as well as the general utility to offer users.
> 
> In a time of crisis, the drones are then sent into relief mode where they send their data up to the disaster relief control centre. 
> 
> Your ideas appear to closely align with that goal.
> 
> For the delivery of supplies (including medical or modules) we're working on a "bomb drop" type mechanism, on our current UAV we have one spare servo output to use for the mechanics, hopefully we'll use something very simple like this http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:14190 
> 
> We understand that refrigeration might be a problem, there are some solutions - based on our maximum distance of travel we can work out how long we'll be in the air and therefore how long we need to keep something cold. In this case we can work with maybe a peltier type cooler or a thermos type cold storage. 
> 
> Please let me know your thoughts. 
> 
> BR,
>  K
> 
> 
> On 28 Apr 2012, at 05:20, al Hart wrote:
> 
>> Well I guess that answered the question as it was posted to the list :),
>>  
>> Hi from the Land Down Under , My background is in IT for the last 30 years from way back in the days that they had punched paper tape and cards through to programming in different languages. I have recently joined a State Emergency Services group and the one thing I found  in the areas out of the city fringes  is the time taken to get to a location. I switched my IT career in 2004 to Aircraft Maintenance . Were I am located now there is no airfields around so I am back into the IT side and GPS Tracking Systems.  So combining both I saw a need for something like a Multirotorhttp://code.google.com/p/arducopter/ that can be sent to a site with a camera and just hover. I have also come across the following that intent to partake in next year as soon as the applications open. It is held here in Queensland Australiahttp://www.uavoutbackchallenge.com.au/ . The goal of the UAV Outback Challenge is to demonstrate the utility of Unmanned
>> Airborne Vehicles (UAVs) for civilian applications. The competitors will be required to develop a UAV that could save lives by quickly and cost effectively delivering medical supplies to critically ill patients in the Australian Outback.
>>  
>> Just a note that I have no financial nor any other type of interest in the about links.     
>>  
>> Alan
>>  
>>  
>>  
>>  
>> _______________________________________________
>> Developer mailing list
>> Developer at openrelief.org
>> http://openrelief.org/mailman/listinfo/developer_openrelief.org
> 
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