Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Giol Vinyals I Roca, Sophomore
Lead Presenter's Name
Giol Vinyals I Roca
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Kranthi Kumar Deveerasetty
Abstract
The Nano Aircraft using Underactuated Technology (NAUT) project presents a novel swashplateless rotor system that achieves cyclic pitch control using a single actuator, eliminating the need for conventional multi-servo swashplate assemblies. This approach is specifically tailored for nano unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operating within Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) environments, where size, weight, and power constraints demand highly efficient and simplified control architectures. A functional prototype has been developed and experimentally validated, demonstrating measurable cyclic pitch variation and effective control authority. Multiple mechanism variants are currently being investigated to evaluate performance trade-offs in responsiveness, mechanical efficiency, and aerodynamic effectiveness. These configurations are compared against a fixed-pitch propeller baseline to quantify improvements in maneuverability and system efficiency. By leveraging underactuation, the NAUT system significantly reduces mechanical complexity and actuator count, offering potential gains in reliability and scalability for ultra-small aerial platforms. This work addresses a gap in current rotorcraft research, where underactuated control strategies remain largely unexplored at the nano-UAS scale. In addition to its application in AAM, NAUT serves as a modular and reusable research platform at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), enabling continued investigation into unconventional rotorcraft designs and control methodologies. The proposed system demonstrates a promising pathway toward compact, efficient, and adaptable aerial vehicles for next-generation mobility solutions.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Included in
Aeronautical Vehicles Commons, Navigation, Guidance, Control and Dynamics Commons, Robotics Commons
Nano Aircraft using Underactuated Technology (NAUT)
The Nano Aircraft using Underactuated Technology (NAUT) project presents a novel swashplateless rotor system that achieves cyclic pitch control using a single actuator, eliminating the need for conventional multi-servo swashplate assemblies. This approach is specifically tailored for nano unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operating within Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) environments, where size, weight, and power constraints demand highly efficient and simplified control architectures. A functional prototype has been developed and experimentally validated, demonstrating measurable cyclic pitch variation and effective control authority. Multiple mechanism variants are currently being investigated to evaluate performance trade-offs in responsiveness, mechanical efficiency, and aerodynamic effectiveness. These configurations are compared against a fixed-pitch propeller baseline to quantify improvements in maneuverability and system efficiency. By leveraging underactuation, the NAUT system significantly reduces mechanical complexity and actuator count, offering potential gains in reliability and scalability for ultra-small aerial platforms. This work addresses a gap in current rotorcraft research, where underactuated control strategies remain largely unexplored at the nano-UAS scale. In addition to its application in AAM, NAUT serves as a modular and reusable research platform at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), enabling continued investigation into unconventional rotorcraft designs and control methodologies. The proposed system demonstrates a promising pathway toward compact, efficient, and adaptable aerial vehicles for next-generation mobility solutions.