Can a Toy Helicopter Be Programmed for Automatic Hovering?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility and mechanics of programming a toy helicopter for automatic hovering. Participants explore the physical forces involved, the challenges of maintaining a stationary position, and the complexities of control systems in a potentially wind-free environment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that it is possible for a toy helicopter to hover, emphasizing the importance of balancing lift and gravity.
  • There are claims that the primary forces acting on the helicopter are gravity and lift generated by the rotors.
  • Concerns are raised about the inability to achieve a truly stationary hover, with some participants noting that the helicopter tends to drift diagonally despite attempts to adjust angles.
  • Some participants suggest that minimizing movement can be achieved by adjusting pitch and yaw, but acknowledge that some movement will always be present.
  • A participant mentions the potential for using a feedback loop with tracking cameras to correct motion and improve stability.
  • There is a question regarding the specific component of movement that occurs during hovering, indicating variability based on conditions.
  • One participant inquires about the academic or professional background of the original poster, suggesting that the complexity of the control problem may depend on various constraints and goals.
  • Suggestions are made to adjust weight trim as a possible solution to improve hovering stability.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that hovering is possible under certain conditions, but there is no consensus on achieving a stationary hover, as multiple views on the challenges and solutions remain. The discussion reflects uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of proposed adjustments and the inherent limitations of toy helicopters.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of understanding of the physics involved, and there are unresolved questions about the specific equations needed to balance forces. The discussion also highlights the dependence on environmental conditions and the complexity of control systems.

Maor_M
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Heya everybody,
I am trying to write a code that will make a toy helicopter to hover. I have cameras that are constantly tracking it, reporting at real time about it's position and angles.
I have control on the yaw (Z axis rotatio), pitch (forward/backward movement), and rotors speed.
I have basic knowledge in physics, so I ask two things:
1. Is it possible??
2. Someone can explain me what are the physical forces working on the helicopter, and if there are equations to balance it??

Thanks bodies...
 
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1) Yes, of course it's possible. That's one of the most significant things about a helicopter, is its ability to hover.

2) Well, there are basically two forces, assuming that you keep it stationary in the horizontal direction. There is gravity, and then there is the lift of the helicopter caused by the spinning rotors "throwing" air underneath them.
 
Dishsoap said:
1) Yes, of course it's possible. That's one of the most significant things about a helicopter, is its ability to hover.

2) Well, there are basically two forces, assuming that you keep it stationary in the horizontal direction. There is gravity, and then there is the lift of the helicopter caused by the spinning rotors "throwing" air underneath them.
But even when it's hover, it's not staying in position, and goes diagonal. Any attemp to change angles just make it worse.
 
Maor_M said:
Heya everybody,
I am trying to write a code that will make a toy helicopter to hover. I have cameras that are constantly tracking it, reporting at real time about it's position and angles.
I have control on the yaw (Z axis rotatio), pitch (forward/backward movement), and rotors speed.
I have basic knowledge in physics, so I ask two things:
1. Is it possible??
2. Someone can explain me what are the physical forces working on the helicopter, and if there are equations to balance it??

Thanks bodies...

In a relatively wind free environment? Yes it's possible for your toy helicopter to hover.

You need your lift to equal the downward force of gravity. The easiest way to do this would be to find the throttle sweet spot that allows hover.
 
Maor_M said:
But even when it's hover, it's not staying in position, and goes diagonal. Any attemp to change angles just make it worse.

You're never going to get a stationary hover with toy helicopters, there will always be some component of movement along the plane. You can minimize it by playing with the pitch/yaw.
 
W
Student100 said:
You're never going to get a stationary hover with toy helicopters, there will always be some component of movement along the plane. You can minimize it by playing with the pitch/yaw.

What is that component??
 
Maor_M said:
Heya everybody,
I am trying to write a code that will make a toy helicopter to hover. I have cameras that are constantly tracking it, reporting at real time about it's position and angles.
I have control on the yaw (Z axis rotatio), pitch (forward/backward movement), and rotors speed.
I have basic knowledge in physics, so I ask two things:
1. Is it possible??
2. Someone can explain me what are the physical forces working on the helicopter, and if there are equations to balance it??

Thanks bodies...

I need stationary hover, or something close to it
 
Maor_M said:
WWhat is that component??

They're variable, depending on conditions. If you have cameras tracking the motion, you can create a feed back loop that will supply corrective inputs to minimize the motion.
 
Maor_M said:
Heya everybody,
I am trying to write a code that will make a toy helicopter to hover. I have cameras that are constantly tracking it, reporting at real time about it's position and angles.
I have control on the yaw (Z axis rotatio), pitch (forward/backward movement), and rotors speed.
I have basic knowledge in physics, so I ask two things:
1. Is it possible??
2. Someone can explain me what are the physical forces working on the helicopter, and if there are equations to balance it??

Thanks bodies...
what is your academic/professional background?
is this for a project?

the reason I ask, this can be a very complicated controls problem depending on the constraints and end goals.
 
  • #10
Maor_M said:
But even when it's hover, it's not staying in position, and goes diagonal. Any attemp to change angles just make it worse.

Try adjusting the weight trim .
 

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