Airbus Gerridae VTOL

Aerospace

A cargo drone drawn from a water strider.

A five-rotor VTOL cargo drone designed for the Airbus Cargo Drone Challenge, its fluid form taken from the Gerridae — the water strider — and developed for medical and cargo delivery.

Discipline: Aerospace design
Tools: Rhino, Keyshot
Recognition: Certificate of Technical Proficiency, Airbus Cargo Drone Challenge
Year: 2016

THE STARTING POINT

The Gerridae are a family of insects in the order Hemiptera, commonly known as water striders, water bugs, pond skaters or water skippers. This bug, and a couple of other animals, inspired me to create a fluid and natural form.

THE DESIGN RESPONSE

It is made from ABS plastic for its high UV resistance and toughness in all conditions. The drone has five Neuemotors 2215/2Y powered by Kokam 3.7V 3200mAh batteries, with T-Motor U11 rotors and T6535-A CCV carbon fibre propellers. I chose the Neuemotors for their power, which in combination with the other components makes a complete system. The cargo slides down, under the drone, when it has landed.

TESTING THE FORM

Airflow around the body was studied through CFD, checking velocity and pressure over the fuselage and rotor booms before the form was finalised.

PROJECT GALLERY