Bugsee

Bugsee - Concept Nano Recon Drone

What is Bugsee

Bugsee is a conceptual nano-scale reconnaissance platform inspired by state-of-the-art research in insect-scale flapping-wing micro aerial vehicles (FWMAVs). It explores an ultra-compact, bio-inspired architecture for discreet ISR in confined or GPS-denied environments.

Why it matters

• Stealth by physics: Flapping wings mimic natural signatures and enable low-acoustic, low-visual presence.

• Access where others can’t: Operates in tight indoor spaces, ducts, and cluttered urban micro-environments.

• Energy aware: Concept targets high lift-to-power ratio for extended loiter at gram-level mass.

Core Concept

• Bio-inspired lift & control: Dual flapping wings driven by simplified crank–slider linkages for efficient hover and agile micro-maneuvers.

• Reconfigured coin (“button”) micro-motors: Off-the-shelf actuators repurposed as compact drives to minimize size/weight while reducing mechanical complexity.

• Adaptive control (R&D track): Evaluation of Self-Regulatory Fractional Fuzzy Control (SRFFC) vs Fractional PID (FPID) for fast response, disturbance rejection, and smooth settling under gusts or proximity effects.

• Modular actuation: Independent left/right drives for differential thrust—forward, yaw, and side-slip control with simple voltage modulation.

• Power optimization ideas: Regenerative strategies on downstroke, smart power distribution, and low-latency disturbance observers for stable flight in real conditions.

Intended Defence Use Cases

• Close-range ISR (room-to-room, cave/tunnel, shipboard compartments)

• Target confirmation and post-breach overwatch

• Perimeter sensing in GPS-denied or RF-constrained spaces

• Damage assessment in smoke, dust, or low-light conditions

Payload & Sensing (concept directions)

• Low-light wide-FOV micro-camera (monochrome first)

• On-board IMU + optical flow for near-field stabilization

• Optional environmental micro-sensors (audio, temperature, particulate)

Concept Performance Targets

• All-up mass: sub-5 g (baseline without payload), scalable variants 5–15 g

• Span: ≤ 10–15 cm (foldable frame option under study)

• Flapping frequency: 100–230 Hz (design-dependent)

• Endurance goal: 10–20 min (mission-profile dependent)

• Control: SRFFC/FPID prototypes with neuro-fuzzy disturbance observer

• Targets are exploratory and subject to change as the concept matures.

Architecture Highlights

• Airframe: Lightweight composite frame with replaceable wing modules

• Drive: Dual micro-motors, crank–slider transmission; quick-swap motor pods

• Compute: Ultra-low-power MCU; future path to vision-assisted autonomy

• Comms: Short-range encrypted link for teleop + telemetry (line-of-sight)

• Safety: Prop/wings shrouded; software geofencing & return-to-operator modes

Development Status

Bugsee is a conceptual R&D project. Current work focuses on benchtop rigs, CAD/simulation (multibody dynamics), and controller evaluation (SRFFC vs FPID) under induced disturbances. Next steps include optimized wing aerodynamics, durability testing of micro-motors, and integrated sensing.

Ethics & Compliance

Designed for defence ISR with strict policy controls, data minimization, and operational safeguards aligned to applicable export and end-use regulations.