Position Control of an X4-Flyer Using a Tether

• Main Authors: , Keigo Watanabe, Keisuke Kinoshita, Isaku Nagai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hasanuddin University 2014-10-01
• Series: International Journal on Smart Material and Mechatronics
• Subjects: Aerial Robotics; Unmanned Aerial Vehicles; vehicle dynamics; Control
• Online Access: http://siaka.unhas.ac.id/ijsmm/library/index.php?kategori=vol1&download=27884-Position%20Control%20of%20an%20X4-Flyer%20Using%20a%20Tether.pdf

In Japan, aging of infrastructures, such as roads, bridges, and water and sewer services, etc. poses a problem, and it is required to extend the life-span of such infrastructures by maintenance. Among infrastructures, especially bridges are periodically inspected by short range visual observations, which check the damage and deterioration of the surface. However, since there are some cases where the short range visual observation is difficult, an alternative method is required so as to replace the short range visual observation with it. So, "X4-Flyer" is very attractive because of realizing a movement at high altitude easily. The objective of this study is to develop a tethered X4- Flyer, so that the conventional short range visual observation of bridges is replaced by it. In this paper, a method for the measurement and control of the position is described by using a tether for controlling the position of the X4-Flyer. In addition, it is checked whether the tethered X4-Flyer can control the position using the proposed method or not, letting it fly in a state in which a tether is being attached.