Consider a lightweight Maxbotix Ultrasonic sensor: robotshop.com/en/maxbotix-en.html
Maxbotix has an article “Interfacing an Ultrasonic Sensor with a Pixhawk or Ardupilot Mega” which explains what to do step by step.
Question is “best” for you seems light weight, but are ease of integration, outdoor reliability, precision etc. important?
You can save weight by opting for infrared, but that’s a lot less useful outdoors.
Not many UAVs use a camera for obstacle avoidance - it’s still pretty experimental (stereo vision).
Simple IR distance sensors: robotshop.com/en/infrared-r … nders.html
Note that the IR we carry don’t have anywhere close to 150m range, nor do the ultrasonic sensors.
You need to consider laser, which are not “small”, and even then, 150m is quite far: robotshop.com/en/lidar.html
Note that this might help with avoiding brick walls, but trees in bright light are an entirely different issue.
You really should experiment with sensors on a normal sized drone before trying to scale it down to something very small.
Given this new news, you might consider a camera system rather than sensors. robotshop.com/en/raspberry- … ilter.html robotshop.com/en/raspberry- … board.html
Your issue will then be the operating conditions / environment and a reliable pan/tilt unit which can operate for extended periods.
Note that the pan/tilt units we offer maintain their position and draw current, whereas for long-term use, you need something which locks (like a worm gear).
You will find many Raspberry Pi based security camera projects / code online, many of which are really impressive.
Last, regarding range, give that it’s a camera, it all depends on what shows up and its size.
Thanks for the quick reply,
You mean to use camera for optical avoidance or for security application?
My thinking was exactly the same, use a RasPi for camera and IR setup. However the reqs are for at least 150ft vision for security cam and IR light, and with the unit having obstacle avoidance.
With the camera link you sent, i could not locate a range distance for that, any idea how far out that unit will work?
A camera & Pi can be used for either, but the suggestion was for the security aspect, since obstacle avoidance using a camera is harder to program.
Regarding the camera’s “distance”, keep in mind that it’s all pixel-based, so there is no “min / max” distance - it will all depend on how many pixels appear and if the camera can recognize the motion / object.
A single camera moving towards a solid surface won’t be able to tell distance at all, whereas another sensor, which measures time of flight, will. Two very different technologies / applications.
It was never suggested because you had indicated 150m distance (it’s limited to 6m). It’s a great unit for 2D obstacle avoidance. but some lowering of specs in full sunlight.