Smart drone for mapping carbon dioxide
A smart drone that flies over a factory or landfill and draws a live color map of carbon dioxide concentration. A graduation project combining autonomous flight, AI, and precise measurement in one system.
The problem
Most factories and landfills have no quick way to identify where carbon dioxide concentrations are highest. Ground measurement alone doesn't give a full picture and requires someone to walk every spot measuring by hand, which takes time and can miss dangerous areas before they get worse.
How it works
- Takeoff and surveyThe drone flies automatically over the defined area along a preplanned path.
- Live measurementThe gas sensor under the drone takes a CO₂ reading every second along the path.
- Position linkingThe GPS module links each reading to its exact coordinates at the moment it's taken.
- Smart analysisAn AI model running on the onboard processor analyzes the readings and spots high-concentration hotspots as it goes.
- MappingData is sent wirelessly to a ground station that draws a color heat map of the gas distribution.
- Adaptive decisionIf an area's concentration exceeds the allowed limit, the system sends the drone back over it more densely and marks it as a priority.
Project features
- A strong research idea, suited to advanced environmental projects.
- A real integration of autonomous flight, AI, and data processing.
- An impressive live demo with a real-time heat map in front of the committee.
- It can be extended to measure gases other than CO₂.
Parts
All the parts you need in one place. Remove what you already have, and swap parts to fit your budget.
Prices are estimates and may change. Parts marked “other supplier” are ordered outside our main store.
Expected challenges
These are the main obstacles to expect during the build, laid out clearly so you know them before you start.
- The weight of the sensor and processor can affect flight, requiring careful payload balancing.
- Training the AI model requires enough data to recognize patterns correctly.
- Air turbulence from the wind affects the reading, requiring software filtering and mechanical mounting of the sensor.
- A stable wireless link between the drone and the ground station over longer distances.
The consultation gives you a solution for each one.
Expected committee questions
Prepare your answers in advance: these questions come up often in defenses of similar projects.
- How is carbon dioxide measured from the air while the propellers stir it?
- How is each reading linked to its location to draw the map?
- What role does AI play in adapting the drone's path?
- How accurate is the sensor, and how was it calibrated?
Students' experiences
Add a comment on the idea: +2 points. Or share your experience with photos of your build: +10 points. Every 50 points become a JD 5 discount voucher on parts orders.
Need solutions to the challenges and a complete technical path?
In the consultation we give you a solution for each challenge above, plus a practical build plan from the first step to the last: technologies, libraries, wiring diagram, timeline, and tips for the defense.
- Consultation session
- PDF with solutions and a plan
- 20 د.أ فقط