One of the challenges in drone design is the digital development of a model that enhances system development by reducing costly prototypes. Currently, simulations are used to find and fix errors using software in the research and development process. One of the challenges is to incorporate the pilot error into these systems. This challenge addresses the human-in-the-loop pilot.  

This Voracity drone was designed for the night and high-speed car chases using first-person-view (FPV) drone technology. FPV drones are popular in drone racing competitions where the pilot competes in real-time on an obstacle course using goggles that encapsulate the pilot's view of where the drone is flying. A camera in front of the drone relays the view with some flight information back to the goggles, where the pilot controls the drone using a controller. 

In a typical unmanned aerial system (UAS), a GPS is used to navigate the flight path using a predetermined flight path using a software program. The pilot has a screen on the controller to view the drone's flight with the pre-flight plan, where the flight is largely automated. The manual method can be used if the pilot does not want to use this automated method. 

In each case, Voracity designed FPV and UAS drones, whose objectives are different. The purpose of the FPV drone is to deliver real-time performance with high human interaction, as opposed to the UAS drone, which delivers programmed performance with low human interaction, relying heavily upon sensor data.  

This project aims to determine the different variables using the behavior characteristics of these two types of drones, FPV and UAS. The common variable is the pilot, and the different attributes are the skill level, reaction time, and learning curve. The data analysis phase will use a comparison of the independent variable (e.g., pilot) and dependent variable (e.g., FPV, UAS). 

One of the criteria of this project is to develop a conceptual model using John Boyd's OODA theoretical framework. The performer will deliver 1 conceptual model in a block diagram format using the OODA framework, 2 data sheets of flight attributes of an FPV and a UAS drone, and 1 spreadsheet of data variables comparing the independent and dependent variables of drones and pilots.  

A digital mock-up will be performed once the administrator approves this preliminary literature-gathering stage of the challenge. This second stage of the challenge is to select which instruments to use in designing the digital mock-up, a bill-of-material (BoM) in a spreadsheet format of components, and one quad chart similar to DARPA style (Concept, approach, impact, context). Each performer or team will present their findings.