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Quadrocopter failsafe algorithm: recovery after propeller loss

Mark Mueller · 218.6K views · 2013-12-02 · 1:00

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Overview

An ETH Zurich lab demonstration of a failsafe algorithm that lets a quadrocopter detect the loss of a propeller and recover, returning to its original position.

On Hacker News

HN cites it to show that a quadcopter can keep flying after losing a rotor, though under ideal lab conditions.

Discussed on HN; no positive recommendation is recorded in this export · HN mentions 2014–2019

Topics

RoboticsAviation & aerospace engineering
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quadcoptercontrol algorithmsfailsafedroneseth zurich

What people said

asteli · 2019-08 · Reference

I recall a quadcopter control mode that spins the entire craft quite rapidly, exchanging yaw control for altitude control. Found a vid: [VIDEO]

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avar · 2016-12 · Reference

The Ehang 184 has 8 propellers, two for each of the four quad points. I'd assume the reason is safety, that it can limp to the ground with just 7. You're wrong about a quadcopter not being able to fly with 3 rotors, see this video: [VIDEO] That looks like it would be quite a ride with a human on-board, but would probably suck less than crashing.

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FatalLogic · 2015-05 · Reference

I wonder if the algorithm could be applied to flying robots or other flying vehicles? If there was sufficient height maybe? It reminds me of this quadcopter drone recovering from the loss of 1 rotor, [VIDEO] Although the drone in that video uses a pre-computed strategy, I think, not a general experiment and learning approach. And it recovers by spinning around on its axis, which saves the drone, and the environment, from further damage, but makes the damaged drone useless for most applications.

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Sources

Video by Mark Mueller, played through YouTube.

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