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QDrone 2

An indoor aerial platform for perception and autonomous control.

Manuals & learning linksExplore Autonomous Systems
Indoor quadrotor · onboard computing

What the system does

QDrone 2 combines a four-rotor vehicle with an NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX computer, cameras, inertial sensing, and wireless communication. The AVRC research studio provides an indoor setting for supervised flight and motion-capture-supported experiments.

Inputs & outputs

Motor inputs determine thrust and attitude. Position and orientation are estimated from the configured sensing and motion-capture system; they are not six independent actuator inputs.

QDrone 2 product photograph supplied by Quanser
Product photograph and technical source: Quanser QDrone 2 ↗

Inside the experiment

ComponentRole in the system
ActuationFour rotors; attitude and thrust commands are allocated to the motors.
SensingRGB and depth cameras, inertial sensors, optical flow, and time-of-flight height sensing.
ComputingOnboard Jetson Xavier NX and Wi-Fi connection to the ground-control environment.
SoftwareQUARC, Python, and supported ROS workflows; match the installed vehicle image.
Annotated QDrone 2 figure showing the airframe, onboard cameras, and computing components
QDrone 2 components. Figure reproduced from AVRC’s laboratory equipment report. View full-size figure · Manufacturer documentation

Build understanding through evidence

Suggested AVRC learning activities. Use the linked manufacturer procedure and the instructor’s approved setup for the actual experiment.

A practical learning sequence

  1. Review the flight-area rules and complete the approved vehicle and battery checks with the supervisor.
  2. Validate localization and reference frames before enabling flight.
  3. Start with the approved baseline hover or trajectory test before considering new navigation or coordination algorithms.

Teaching, outreach & research

  • Teaching: estimation, flight dynamics, and trajectory control.
  • Outreach: supervised demonstration of sensing and autonomous motion.
  • Research questions: obstacle avoidance, leader–follower flight, and air–ground coordination within approved limits.

Go directly to the source

Official manuals and resources may have their own licensing or sign-in requirements. Use material for the exact platform generation and software release.

MATLAB, Python & QLabs setupTechnical video libraryResearch reading & examples

Prepare before operating.

Complete lab orientation and platform-specific training. Coordinate the experiment with the AVRC team in B20, Mackey Building.

Safety & access

All equipment · Faculty course integration