Autonomous Area Mapping with Low Cost Hovercraft Platform

In this paper, the possibility to build a low cost hovercraft platform with easily accessible materials and able to perform autonomous ground mapping is discussed. To do so, platform design is presented with proportional motors and construction module. The computing system is integrated to manage the platform displacement. Algorithms are used to counteract every constraint existing in this kind of vehicle such as low ground interaction and motors feedback, based on previous research on hovercraft stabilization. The mapping system which includes a camera and a laser is discussed in detail, and final mapping and exploration is computed with inspiration from mapping research.