Authors:

Muhammad Zohaib Ali

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Not specified

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About Paper:

Static sensors and manual surveys lack the spatial flexibility and real- time responsiveness needed for field-scale environmental monitoring, and most commercial UAV kits hide the full hardware-software autonomy pipeline required for repeatable, research-grade data collection. Moreover, many research prototypes rely on manual piloting or semi-autonomous modes, limiting reproducibility and scalability for missions requiring waypoint-based navigation across challenging terrains. In this paper we introduce FLORA (Field and Landscape Observation via Robotic Automation) which addresses these gaps by delivering a fully custom UAV built from the ground up, guided by a systematic literature review of remote-sensing platforms, sensor fusion, swarm coordination, and ecological monitoring needs to enable autonomous, repeatable field observation. The UAV was custom designed from a carbon-fiber airframe paired with brushless motors, ESCs, and a LiPo battery accommodating for 20 min endurance. A SIYI N7 autopilot (ArduPilot) integrates GPS, IMU, barometer, and telemetry, allowing navigation and autonomy. Mission Planner was applied for mission upload, HIL simulation, and real-time telemetry monitoring. Bench tests demonstrated successful hardware integration and reliable calibration and navigation. Indoor flight testing indicated a stable flight for up to 5 minutes. Outdoor missions are being conducted for 10-20 min flight time (to mimic real field navigation). This ground-up autonomy stack validates that a custom UAV can reliably perform waypoint navigation, establishing a modular platform for robot-driven environmental monitoring. Future research areas include integrating multispectral and LiDAR sensors, extending flight endurance, and scaling to multi-UAV cooperative coverage for high-resolution, alongside developing the computer vision analysis model to give a complete robot- driven environmental monitoring. Keywords: Robotics; Observation; Field and Landscape; Automation † Presenting Undergrad Author; ‡ Contributing Undergrad Author; * Undergrad Acknowledgment

Source:

Purdue University / 2025

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Co-authors:

Muhammad Zohaib Ali