Welkin Aves
Welkin Aves was a startup I co-founded with a friend in 2019 to address the flight time limitations of drones through a battery-swapping station. Initially starting as a college project during our undergraduate studies in electronics and electrical engineering, we dedicated ourselves to learning essential skills such as SolidWorks, 3D printing, Python, Arduino programming, and microcontroller integration. With support from mentors, our institution (Rajadhani Institute of Engineering and Technology), and Kerala Startup Mission, we successfully developed and demonstrated a working prototype. Although we paused the venture to pursue our master's degrees, the experience instilled in us valuable technical and entrepreneurial skills.
Project Sections
Overview
Drone Prototype: Developed a custom drone equipped with a battery-swapping mechanism. Seamless integration of hardware and software for optimal performance.
Achievements:
Raised $12,000 in funding. Won Idea Fest 2021 and Idea Fest 2022, hosted by Kerala Startup Mission.Key Components
Battery
Battery We modified a 5000mAh 11.1V lithium polymer battery by designing a custom shell that incorporated connecting plates as terminals. The shell was engineered for seamless integration, allowing the battery to be easily removed and swapped into the drone without the need for complex mechanisms or manual intervention.
Battery Holder
Mounted on the main actuator, this component secures the battery during operation and transit. Powered by two servo motors for a reliable locking mechanism.
Charger
Modified LiPo battery charger with pogo pins for seamless connectivity with the custom battery shell. Ensures efficient and reliable charging.Aligner
Ensures precise positioning of the drone for accurate alignment of the onboard battery with the battery holder. Features two aligners (horizontal and vertical) powered by eight linear actuators, controlled by an Arduino.Leveler
Adjusts the height of the landing plates for perfect alignment during battery swapping. Includes four linear actuators, controlled by an Arduino, for precise adjustments.Innovation in Design
Redesigned a standard 5000mAh 11.1V LiPo battery with a custom shell for effortless swapping. Engineered the battery shell with connecting plates and a user-friendly design to eliminate manual intervention.Technology Stack
Hardware: Arduino Uno, Arduino Nano, Raspberry Pi 4, servo motors, linear actuators.
Software: Python, Embedded C, Arduino IDE.
Design Tools: SolidWorks for CAD modeling.
Project Media
CAD Images
Battery shell
Battery Shell Dimensions
Charger
Charger Dimensions
Battery holder
Isometric View
Top View
Battery Swapping Station Dimensions
Video Demonstration
Drone Prototype: Short video showcasing the battery-swapping process in action.Video - Welkin Aves
Repository Link
Explore the code and CAD designs on our GitHub repository: GitHub - Welkin Aves
Collaborators
We were supported by key incubators and collaborators, including AICTE IDEA Lab, Rajadhani Institute of Engineering and Technology, and Kerala Startup Mission.
