Smartdrone: An Open Platform for Research and Experimentation with Autonomous UAVs

Recent advancements in drone technology have made drones a valuable tool in academia and research, facilitating hands-on learning and new research opportunities across various fields. However, conventional drone programming platforms are typically hampered by their prohibitive costs and inflexible proprietary systems, leading to researchers and students relying on theoretical simulations rather than practical experimentation. Addressing such limitations, this paper introduces Smartdrone, an innovative UAV platform that redefines drone capabilities in educational and research settings by integrating a smartphone as the onboard computer for the drone’s self-guided navigation. This approach enhances the drone’s functionality not only by utilizing advanced cameras and sensors present on modern smartphones but also by taking advantage of the vast programming libraries and communication protocols available for smartphones. Furthermore, this paper also discusses two practical applications of Smartdrone in interdisciplinary projects by undergraduate students, demonstrating its effectiveness and versatility.