Welcome to 2025! Im excited to share my latest plans and ongoing projects in the world of drone technology and robotics. Over the next year, Ill be doubling down on drone test rigs, software development, and building a thriving community around first-principles thinking in robotics. Heres an overview of my mission:
1. Mastering the Drone Test Rig
Im creating a custom, 3D-printed test rig that will let me experiment safely and consistently with different drone configurations. I want it to be:
Stable and safe: Incorporating redundant fail-safes and protective shielding.
Modular and upgradable: Quick to modify for sensor swaps, new flight controllers, and even advanced AI features.
This rig is the cornerstone of my R&Dhelping me refine hardware designs and test new software ideas without risking expensive drone frames.2. Crafting a Holistic Software Stack
Software is the brain of any drone. My stack covers:
Attitude Math & State Estimation: Im building or refining libraries to handle orientation, sensor fusion, and robust Kalman filters.
Control Systems: Whether its PID or advanced methods like MPC (Model Predictive Control), I aim to keep the drone stable even in challenging conditions.
Computer Vision & AI: Leveraging frameworks like OpenCV and TensorFlow to enable object detection, tracking, and onboard inference.
Flight Path & Rig Integration: Tying it all together so my test rig communicates seamlessly with every subsystem.
Ill document the entire journey, from coding to flight tests, to showcase the iterative process of drone software engineering.3. Regular updates to antshiv.com
Detailed project breakdowns: CAD designs, 3D-printing tips, source code references, and flight-test data.
Regular blog updates: Deep-dives into AI modules, control theory, and real-world application stories.
Opportunities for collaboration: Im eager to find like-minded peopleif youre an engineer, researcher, or hobbyist, stay tuned!Start selling my products online - Creating and developing the online store to sell products and courses
4. Taking Flight Controllers to the Next Level
Many drone enthusiasts and professionals are looking for reliable flight controllers. My goal:
Enhance reliability and safety with advanced sensor fusion, redundancy, and failsafes.
Keep it open for growth: I believe in balancing commercial viability with the spirit of open-source, so Ill see how best to involve the community.
5. Growing My YouTube Channel
I plan to publish regular videos highlighting:
First-principles drone building: Explaining how drones fly from the ground up.
Behind-the-scenes design: From unboxing parts to coding flight software.
Test flights & demos: Showcasing real field tests, cool features, and yesfailures that lead to learning.
6. Looking for Collaborators
Hardware developers: Particularly in mechanical design, electronics, and 3D printing.
Software enthusiasts: State estimation gurus, AI/ML wizards, or web devs who can help with creative solutions.
Content creators & educators: If you share a love for teaching tech, we can partner on video or course projects.
7. Long-Term Ambitions: Five Years to Large-Scale Industrial Robotics
Ultimately, I want to push the boundaries of industrial robotics and drone technology. By 2030, I see myself:
Producing large-scale drones for inspection, bio-diversity-conservation, or agricultural tasks.
Designing modular robotic systems that can be adapted to different industrial needs. 8. More Frequent Blog Writing
Weekly or Monthly Posts: Commit to a writing scheduleevery Friday or first Monday of the month.
Reflect & Course-Correct: Use blog entries to note achievements, obstacles, and lessons learned.
Short-Term Goals: Write down weekly or monthly objectives to keep yourself on task.
Time Awareness: Since time flies, these reflections will help me stay focused on priority tasks.Final Thoughts
2025 marks a fresh start with clear goals. From a robust test rig to advanced software, and a thriving YouTube community, Im ready to make tangible progress toward large-scale drones and industrial robotics.