Drones autonomously following AprilTags (RSI paper)

Autonomous drones have become a significant area of interest, with numerous potential applications yet to be fully explored. This paper presents a software solution developed for the Tello drone, a versatile and affordable device, to enable it to autonomously follow AprilTags. AprilTags are used as visual markers to provide a reference for the drone’s position and orientation. The software utilizes computer vision techniques to detect and calculate the relative positions of AprilTags, allowing the drone to adjust its velocities to move towards the detected tags. Moreover, the paper addresses the problem of moving the drone through gates autonomously using a similar approach. The software developed for the Tello drone can potentially be extended to more complex drones, making them suitable for diverse real-world applications, including package delivery, search and rescue missions, and disaster management. We include the prototyping of a more capable drone. The project emphasizes affordability, safety, and educational applications, providing a stepping stone for students and enthusiasts to explore the world of autonomous drones.