Experimental study on the dynamic behaviour of drones designed for racing competitions

Abstract

Drones designed for racing usually feature powerful miniaturised electronics embedded in fairly light and strong geometric composite structures. The main objective of this article is to analyse the behaviour of various models of racing drones and their geometrical structures (airframes). Two approaches have been made: (i) an analysis of the information collected by a set of speed and time sensors located on an indoor race track and using a statistical technique (box and whiskers diagram) and (ii) an analysis of the know-how (flight sensations) of a group of racing pilots using a series of technical interviews on the behaviour of their drones. By contrasting these approaches, it has been possible to validate numerically the effects of varying the arm angles, as well as lengths, on a test race track and relate the geometry of these structures to racing behaviour.