Indiegogo is committed to accessibility. If you have difficulty using our site, please contact support@indiegogo.com for assistance or view our accessibility notice by clicking here

This campaign is closed

NIMBUS - monocoque racing drone

Full carbon fiber monocoque body racing drone for lightweight with extreme strength and durability.

You may also be interested in

Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed

NIMBUS - monocoque racing drone

NIMBUS - monocoque racing drone

NIMBUS - monocoque racing drone

NIMBUS - monocoque racing drone

NIMBUS - monocoque racing drone

Full carbon fiber monocoque body racing drone for lightweight with extreme strength and durability.

Full carbon fiber monocoque body racing drone for lightweight with extreme strength and durability.

Full carbon fiber monocoque body racing drone for lightweight with extreme strength and durability.

Full carbon fiber monocoque body racing drone for lightweight with extreme strength and durability.

Aerodyne RC
Aerodyne RC
Aerodyne RC
Aerodyne RC
1 Campaign |
Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation
$20,395 USD 91 backers
67% of $30,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Shipping
The project team has begun shipping their products. The delivery may be affected by shipping challenges and delays.
Check Check Check Truck
Concept Prototype Production Shipping
Overview
Nimbus 195 - full carbon fiber monocoque body racing drone with enclosed electronics. Strong, durable, lightweight, aerodynamically streamlined and weatherproof. The campaign target is the establishment of manufacturing shop and doing a first production run, based on the existing prototype which had extensive pre-production tests and has proved its characteristics and performance. [NEW] You can order it now via E-mail request: info@aerodyne-rc.com

INTRODUCTION

We are presenting Aerodyne-RC, a new company, established by a very small group of engineers, looking to bring interesting ideas to the active society and passionate about drones, FPV and drone racing development.

Our campaign is based on special carbon fiber technology application in the drone racing industry.

Nimbus drone is made with a special technology, forming a carbon fiber “from the inside” in a cavity mold with a special bladder. As a result, we are getting seamless structure and a fundamental increase of strength, keeping the very low weight. The thickness of the shell walls is varying, depending on the stress level and stress distribution in that area. The stress level is considered during collisions with hard obstacles. In most stressed regions the thickness of the carbon is higher, in less stressed — lower, it varies from 1 to 4 mm. We also use directed fibers along the arms, to enforce it. It is the most efficient use of carbon fiber properties.

 

    

All electronic components of Nimbus drone, camera, and battery – are placed in this enclosed body and protected from the environment. And there are significant advantages, coming with enclosed and strong body, like:

  • Extreme survival and endurance with perfect protection from crashes and collisions
  • Super lightweight - varying the thickness of the carbon fiber over the body to optimize strength-to-weight ratio.
  • IP 54 ingress protection rating – protected from water drops and splashes getting inside the body
  • Excellent aerodynamics, given by efficient streamlined shape for omnidirectional flight. Minimum air resistance, high speed, and maneuverability.

 

WHAT IS INSIDE?

NIMBUS will be available for delivery as “Frame Only”,  and Ready-To-Fly packages.

The BNF and RTF version will have a set of professional grade components proven by flight experience:

  • 5″ props
  • Newest F4 flight controller with integrated OSD
  • 4in1 ESCs, 30 A.
  • Powerful 2206 2300 kV motors
  • 30/45/55 deg. adjustable FPV camera HS 1177/1190 with 2.5 mm lens
  • Video transmitter with adjustable power 25-200 mWt
  • VTx Antenna
  • Titanium fasteners for lowest weight and durability
  • Frame weight: 120 and 80 gr versions. 120 gr by default, 80 gr by request, to be confirmed during shipping address confirmation. 
  • BNF Weight ~320-350 g (w/o battery)

Nimbus is ready for the further upgrade to HD video-link. Such systems  like Connex ProSight fits into Nimbus body.

 

 

FLIGHT CONTROLLER AND SOFTWARE

Nimbus drone has the newest and fastest F4 flight controller with latest Betaflight software. 

F4 flight controller uses the MPU6000 gyro over SPI bus for the best possible flight performance. The MPU6000 inertial motion sensor was chosen for it's high reliability, accuracy and update speed. This board has no problem running fast loop times and ESC protocols, including latest DSHOT. 

F4 flight controller has in-build OSD, which can be configured directly from the Betaflight software. It will require Betaflight 3.0 and later for the OSD configuration via Betaflight.  

The USB port is easily accessed after opening the quick release lid at the bottom, covering the internal compartment and the battery. 

 

AVAILABLE PACKAGES

As we mentioned above, the NIMBUS Drone will be available in three packages: Frame only, BNF and RTF.

Packages will have a various scope of supply for different needs of pilots.

 

FRAME-ONLY PACK

Frame only package is foreseen for drone racing pilots who consider exploring new features of a monocoque design of racing drone frame and is capable or interested building a drone themselves. 

It will include the core of NIMBUS drone - its full carbon fiber monocoque frame with:
- adjustable angle FPV camera mount
- GoPro mount
- RP-SMA connector for external VTx antenna
- set of plastic standoffs for flight controller and ESC board
- set of M3 Hex titanium fasteners
- carbon fiber bottom lid with fasteners
- battery velcro strap   

 

BIND-and-FLY PACK

Bind and fly pack is foreseen for the pilots who already has a radio for control of the drones.

Most of the drone racing pilots who has started their hobby in 2016 and earlier have FrSky Taranis X9D 16CH Ditigal Telemetry Radio System (open source). Therefore Bind-and-fly pack will include assembled Nimbus Drone with integrated FrSky XM+ telemetry 16 channel receiver, with SBUS enabled.  Just bind it with your FrSky Taranis, or latest model - Horus - and fly! 

Spectrum receivers will be available upon written request.

 

READY-to-FLY Pack

Included in the RTF Pack: The TBS TANGO remote control is an all-in-one system, designed for those pilots who makes the first step into FPV and do not want the complexity and excess of unnecessary functions of other remote controllers. It has built-in 5.8 GHz video receiver and antenna, and large, bright display. With the integrated display, it is very easy to set-up and configure your controls. 

A large display shows the FPV video stream right on the remote, with an option to connect external goggles. If you use goggles, the cable connection from TBS Tango to goggles also provides power to your goggles, with no need in heavy battery on your head.

RTF version of Nimbus drone will have TBS Tango with FrSky XJT radio module included. 

 

TBS Tango is slightly wider than other controllers, and it gives you more comfort for your arms when you sit or stand during FPV. Tango has perfect fit both for "pinchers", "thumblers" and hybrid pinchers.  

 

BATTERY

Most of the popular types of 4S batteries models for drone racing: Tattuu 1300/1550 75C, Turnigy Graphene 1300 65C, Dinogy Graphene 1300 75C, and many others. The size (length) of the battery shall not exceed 76 mm. The connection type shall be XT60. 

Important note: Due to different legislation in different countries and general limitations of Lithium-Polymer transportation in different countries we do not include batteries in the deliveries, to avoid delays and confusions. Please buy batteries locally. 

GALLERY of PROTOTYPE

 

MORE PICTURES of NIMBUS:

FAQ

 

What packs will be available?

  • Basic pack, only frame for DIY.
  • BNF pack — Fully assembled Nimbus.  You will need RC transmitter and video goggles in addition.
  • RTF pack — Its a BNF pack + RC transmitter (TBS tango). You will need video goggles.

Please note, the batteries are not included in any of the versions due to safety limitations in the international transportation

What does RTF, DIY, BNF, FPV, OSD mean?

  • FPV stands for First Person View.
  • RTF — Ready To Fly
  • BNF — Bind And Fly
  • DIY — Do It Yourself
  • OSD - On-Screen Display

Can I land in water? how is it sealed? Is it water-resistant?

The ingress protection rating is IP 54, meaning it is enclosed, not to let small particles or water splashes inside the body. It means you can land in a dirt, dust, snow, not deep puddles. You cannot land on the water surface or have full dive in the water, it is not watertight.

Landing in the wet dirt or snow with Nimbus is not a problem. Wipe the smooth, shiny Nimbus body with a napkin and continue to fly.

What is flight time on one battery?

Typical batteries for racing drone of 180-210 frame size has the capacity of 1300 — 1550 mAh. The flight time depends on your flying style, how slow or aggressive you are flying. It can vary from 2-3 minutes up to 8 minutes.

What is the maximum distance I can fly?

The maximum distance will depend on the power of the video transmitter (Vtx) you use. Usually, at drone races the power of the Vtx is 200 mW, for this power, at the video signal frequency of 5.8 GHz, the flight distance is about 500 meters, which is more than enough when you are flying on the race track. For higher Vtx powers, 600  the distances are about 500 — 1000 meters. The video signal quality also depends on your antennas configuration and obstacles (walls, trees, etc.) The radio control usually has longer distances than video signal.

Is the camera capable of HD video transmission and recording?

The camera installed is a typical model used in drone racing — HS 1190. It is analog, 650 TVL, 2.5 mm lens, IR blocked camera, with minimum possible delay. Delay of FPV camera is critical in drone racing, due to the need of quick respond from pilot to the drone.

Please note, that Nimbus drone internal compartment is capable of installation of next generation digital FPV systems, like Connex ProSight, or similar HD video link with low delay.

For nice HD video recording in the flight, the separate HD camera (like GoPro session, or GoPro Hero 4, or similar) need to be installed. Nimbus drone includes a special metal bracket for HD camera installation. Flight analogue video (DVR) can be recorded on some FPV goggles. 

Is NIMBUS drone capable of stable flying mode, can it hang in the air?

There are standard flight modes available, stabilized are: Horizon and Angle, free flying modes with a bit different tunings are: Acro and Airmode. Of course, you can start flying in stabilized modes, but the drone racing pleasure is free flying in Acro/Airmode, where you fully control the drone, you can do whatever is possible in the air, all types of aerobatics.

How is it possible to fly during rainy and snowy weather?

Air flow from the propellers cleans up the FPV camera lens to a certain extent. In addition, RTF versions of Nimbus intends to have a water-repellent coating for the FPV camera lens.

Does the NIMBUS have GPS, Return to Home, Follow me functions?

No, those functions are for aerial photography drones. There is no sense to have those functions in a racing drone.

Why are you not including batteries?

Due to legislation and limitations of Lithium-Polymer transportation in different countries we do not include batteries in the delivery, to avoid delays. Please buy batteries locally. 

What types of batteries are suitable for Nimbus?

Most of the popular 4S battery models for drone racing: Tattuu 1300/1550 75C, Turnigy Graphene 1300 65C, Dinogy Graphene 1300 75C, and many others. The size (length) of the battery shall not exceed 76 mm. The connection type shall be XT60. 

What is the thickness of carbon in Nimbus frame?

The NIMBUS frame is made of carbon fiber with a special technology, so-called «bladder molding». In the end of the production process, we are getting seamless hollow continuous carbon fiber shell. The thickness of the shell walls is varying, depending on the stress level and stress distribution in that area. The stress level is considered during collisions with hard obstacles. In most stressed regions the thickness of the carbon is higher, in less stressed — lower, it varies from 1 to 4 mm.

I would like to buy only the Nimbus frame, but I have doubts if I will be able to assemble it with all necessary electronic components. Will you provide an instruction or manual how to assemble the Nimbus drone?

Yes, during production period of the campaign we will provide the detailed assembly video and text instruction. List of recommended components will be also available.

Does the RTF pack come with FPV goggles?
FPV goggles are not included. Preferably the pilot needs to select the model which fits. The market offers a variety of good quality FPV goggles.

To start with RTF version of Nimbus we include an RC controller with integrated video receiver and FPV screen. This can be a good starting point for a pilot. Later you can study the offerings and buy cheapest or expensive goggles. Typical selection in drone racing world is FatShark goggles. 

 

SHIPPING

  • We plan to start shipping the first batch of "Frame Only" packs already during manufacturing period, upon readiness.
  • Shipping rates included in perks are based on an average to keep it simple and cost effective.
  • Express shipping will be available upon request
  • Perks will be sent with tracking information as soon as ready.
  • "Frame only" packs will ship first, followed by BNF and RTF packages.

 

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Aerodyne RC directly and its reseller network will be able to get you any replacement parts quickly. You can also use standard electronic components for replacement, which are available in RC shops near you. 

For any issues, please contact us at: info@aerodyne-rc.com

http://aerodyne-rc.com

Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
Need more information
Let us know if you think this campaign contains prohibited content.

Choose your Perk

featured

Frame Only - last minute sale

$160 USD
Nimbus Frame Only pack for last minute sale, 15% off regular price of $190!
Estimated Shipping
March 2017
0 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

NIMBUS Frame Only Pack

$190 USD
1x Frame only pack of NIMBUS Drone
Estimated Shipping
February 2017
2 out of 150 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

NIMBUS BNF Pack

$490 USD
1x NIMBUS - BNF Pack (Bind and Fly)
Estimated Shipping
March 2017
20 out of 50 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

10 pcs Frame-Only Pack

$1,500 USD
10x Frame-only packages for reselling or your own build. Shipping cost to be discussed prior to shipping.
Estimated Shipping
March 2017
0 out of 5 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
sold out

NIMBUS Frame only - Early bird

$150 USD
Estimated Shipping
January 2017
30 out of 30 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
sold out

1x Nimbus F.O. Christmas sale

$160 USD
Estimated Shipping
February 2017
30 out of 30 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
Tags for this project

You may also be interested in

Up Caret