Ethan Lawrence
Research Mentor: Kimberlee Kearfott
Mentor Department: NERS, Engineering
Author(s): Sania Shoukat, Ethan Lawrence, Adam Drihany, Anna Dyachenko, Kimberlee Kearfott
Session: Session 3 (11:00 AM – 11:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 6
Abstract
Many situations require remote radiation detection capabilities such as nuclear facility site surveying, recovery of lost radiation sources, and emergency responses to radiation-based threats. The intelligent Radiation Awareness Drone (iRAD) is a low-cost autonomous vehicle developed to improve accessibility and safety in these scenarios should they arise. The quadcopter design has a total mass of 1.5 kg and holds an additional 1.5 kg payload and has a frame fully constructed through 3D printing in Autodesk Fusion. Autonomous operation is enabled through a Pixhawk 6x flight controller, QGroundControl as a mission planning software, Holybro GPS, and telemetry systems. The system can achieve 10 minutes of flight time under full payload conditions. Design improvement focused on structural stability and payload integration. Initial flight tests and simulations revealed instability during takeoff in the arms and legs. These issues were addressed through a redesign of the landing structure and a reinforcement of the main frame. Additionally, a new payload system was developed to fit a more efficient battery and increase the stability of the payload in flight. Flight testing demonstrated improved stability, reliable autonomous navigation, and improved execution of programmed flight paths. The system provides a reproducible and cost-effective solution for radiation monitoring in hazardous environments. Future work will be focused on improved flight duration and expanded sensor integration.
