Mik1
“We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, If This Isn’t Nice, What Is?: Advice for the Young
My first interest in Electronics dates back to 2008 & the first result was this Quadcopter (A 4 rotors radio controlled helicopter based on Arduino & made of wood and alluminium)
(Click to enlarge)
Main Hardware:
- 4 x Brussless Outrunner Motors
- 4 x 18A ESC (Electronics Speed Controllers)
- Arduino Mega 2560 Based board
- 2.4GHz 8 Channel Radio Controller: Spektrum DX8 With AR8000 + TM1000 telemetry
- 3850mAh 3S 11.1V 25C LiPo
- Barometer
- GPS module
- Gyroscope
- Magnetometer
- Accelerometer
- Sonar
First Flight :
After very long nights of software and hardware soldering, building, testing, breaking, rebuilding, configuring, debugging… The inauguration flight of Mik1 took place…
Well that did not end up verry well, right!!
After long hours of glitches, bug fixing & some glue, Mick1 is revived…
Mik1 flew few more times then dismantled to move on to an improved Mik2 version!!
Main Features:
- Software: C/C++
- Flight time: +/- 15m
- Range: +/- 1.5km
- Weight: 1200g
- Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 2.5kg
- Width (motor to motor): +/- 950mm
- 9 Degree of Freedom IMU stabilized control
- 3-axis Gyro stabilized flight mode enabling acrobatics (loops and barrel rolls)
- 3-axis Magnetometer for heading determination
- 3-axis Accelerometer for autoleveling
- GPS for position hold & automatically comming back to the take off position
- Barometer for altitude hold
- Sonar sensor for automated takeoff and landing capability
- Automated waypoint navigation using the GPS
- Motor control using PWM (power width modulator) Electronics Speed Controllers (ESC’s)
- On board flight telemetery data storage
- 2.4GHz Wireless command & telemetry for long distance communication
- Battery level detection
- User configurable LED flight pattern
Mik2
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
I like changes & refinement.
Next to Mik1, I decided to refine the design & I came up with the following:
- Complete fiber glass chassi
- Width: 800mm
- Weigth: 800g
- flight time: +/- 18m
Mik2 was a very nice improvement over previous generation, lighter, smaller, improved wife acceptance factor and gained 3 minuts of flight time.
Despite the improvements, Mik2 had a 3 flights life span and ended up being a led based desk lamp in order to give birth to the next Mik generation!
Mik3 the 3rd
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”
― Leonardo da Vinci
Again, for the sake of change and improvement, Mik3 was born
A hexa copter, with contra rotating blades and 6 motors.
Bigger, larger, stronger & faster.
- New sleek design
- Combination of fiber glass and aluminum
- Width: 1200mm
- Weight: 1100g
- Lift off weight: +/- 3.3 Kg
- Flight time: 12m
- Drastic speed improvement
Unfortunately, Mik3 life span was reduced to a unique flight due to a hardware glitch.
The project is on hold since winter 2011! Meanwhile Mik3 is gathering dust.
…That was the end of the “Copters” adventure! Maybe the rest of the story will become a real size design.
A very ambitious project, but who knows!
Hmmm, I wonder what the wife acceptance factor would be?!
Still here?! lets move on…
Motor Bike dashboard project
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
― Mark Twain
Just another “ambitious” project
GPS have became a standard and a must in our way of living. So why not on Motor Bikes?
Maybe for many reasons, but surely it is not a question of security, since portable GPS especially made for motor bikes are sold seperatly.
The idea is to replace my actual bike dashbord with a 4.3″ color touch screen offering indications, in a Lamborgini Reventon like style!
Options are :
Outside temperature- Odometer
Speedometer- RPM
GPSGyroscope for lean angle indicationsBluetooth for radio and hands free- Radio with volume limited with speed
Sim card slot for security measuresAlram using the GPS, and sim card to return the motorbike location in case of some undesired “borrowing”Light sensore, that automatically increase/decrease the screen brightness and turn on some daylight riding leds- Fuel gauge indicator
Fash memory SD/MMC & USB, for different logging purpose such as saving the temperature, lean, speed data of the trip & a storage media for mp3 & GPS maps3G capabilityxBee for programing diagnostics and upgradesSonar, roll ball sensor switch, tilt sensor switch, vibration sensor switch for Alarm- Optional : Voice Command (Ambitious for a one man team)
Independent power supply provided by a LiPo- Charging circuit
Project ended abruptly when I had an accident in october 2014 with the bike!
“I suppose I’ll have to add the force of gravity to my list of enemies.”
― Lemony Snicket, The Penultimate Peril
Indirectly Led illuminated voice & remote controlled TV room
“A painter should begin every canvas with a wash of black, because all things in nature are dark except where exposed by the light.”
― Leonardo da Vinci
Lights & illumination
COMING SOON
Connected & voice controlled garage door
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one.”
― John Lennon
A connected garage door controlled by voice or phone
COMING SOON