Requests (wish-list) for remote control boats

[Kristoffer Florvaag-Dybvik]

Hi all. How about compiling a wish-list for what we want from manufacturers of remote controlled boats?
I’ll start:

• HR Wallingford ARC boat: Please make a retrofit option to attach the motor directly to the propeller shaft. The drive belts are a nightmare! And it stops people from wanting to use the boat.
  Sontek rQpod: I want a high speed rQpod!
• All manufacturers: In NVE we use FPV cameras (no latency) pointing 90 degrees  to the side to aid navigation on the  far bank. The cameras we use (waterproof and built-in tansmitter) are no longer possible yo buy. Make this an option for your boats! (I know that RiverDrone does so). Video showing how we do it here: https://youtu.be/ekFUO7jJp0g
• All manufacturers: Tool to measure distance to shore (on far bank). Lidar (RiverDrone has one). UltraSound? Laser? Camera? (Like a reversing camera on a car. Several cameras and “sky view” like on some cars?)
• All manufacturers: A low cost auto-pilot like on a DJI drone.

• This topic was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Kristoffer Florvaag-Dybvik.
• This topic was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by Kristoffer Florvaag-Dybvik.

Topic

[Nick Everard]

I’d agree with all of your suggestions, Kristoffer!

I would also add –

• Consider designing a boat as a sensor platform for multiple applications, so that it is easier to fit and power multiple sensors (a pickup truck rather than a taxi)
• Develop an option to collect water samples
• Develop a winch to allow lake monitoring
• A waterproof RC controller would be good!
• Supply boats with a trolley
• Consider offering integrated heading GPS – a boat hull provides for a much longer baseline than say a V102 or similar, and avoids the awkward top-heaviness
• Develop an effective propulsion system that is unaffected by weed
• Offer long range comms options (that are easy to set up and reliable!)
• Add a sensor to detect surface flow speed (a challenge on a moving boat, but I guess bottom tracking or GPS could solve for boat speed
• LOWER COST (I have not been able to buy any boats since moving to UKCEH as we have not had the budget to do so!)

[Kristoffer Florvaag-Dybvik]

“…waterproof RC controller…” Yes, absolutely!

[Daniel Wennerberg]

Hi all,

Very good suggestions. The waterproof RC is sorely needed..

To add to the flora of RC-boats for ADCP, here is another one:

https://www.surfbee.io/

[Author]

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