The complete package for teaching and research

The Quadrotor Control System (QCS): a fully fledged quadrotor that is programmed on a stand without any risk of crashing and, in the Flight version (QCS-F), also flies freely. The complete package comprises hardware, software framework, documentation and twelve lessons – from the EMQ framework through IMU sensors, Kalman filter, quaternions, telemetry and telecommands to attitude, yaw and 3-DOF control and automation, supplemented by two MATLAB exercises. Each lesson contains a slide set, theory, exercises and solutions in German and English; a module description with 5 ECTS is included, and the DroneTechAcademy video series deepens the content. Programming skills are not essential: with the entry-level framework EMQplay, controllers can be parameterised without code, and basic knowledge of C is enough for the further levels. Five levels of difficulty from beginner to expert allow bachelor students without prior knowledge and experienced master students to work on the same system. More than 50 add-on modules extend the QCS with GPS, altitude sensors, object detection, stereo vision or onboard computers. There is a dedicated teaching concept for secondary and vocational schools.

The Quadrotor Control System (QCS) is an interactive teaching system that gets students excited about modern systems: instead of theory at the blackboard, they program a real quadrotor and see the result of their work immediately – application-oriented and motivating for the engineering sciences. The complete package of hardware, software framework, documentation and twelve lessons runs on a stand with a configurable joint: one, two or three degrees of freedom can be unlocked, so sensors, signal processing, control and automation are developed step by step – without any risk of crashing. Five levels of difficulty cover the range from getting started without programming skills to expert level. In the Flight version (QCS-F) the same system takes off. The QCS has been on the market for almost ten years and is now in its fifth generation.

The QCS can be integrated into teaching in two ways. In exercises, lab courses, block seminars or summer and winter schools the students work on the device themselves – small groups of at most four people per system are recommended so that everyone can program, test and evaluate. In lectures and information events the QCS serves as a demonstrator: controllers, sensor fusion and automation are shown live on the system, which makes the theory immediately tangible. For both cases we supply the matching material – slide sets, theory, exercises and solutions for all twelve lessons, suitable for bachelor's and master's programmes alike. The time required depends on your course: from a single 45 to 90 minute block within an existing lecture to an exercise accompanying a whole semester. The lessons can be used independently of one another and can be extended or shortened.

On the stand the system cannot crash or fly uncontrolled through the room. A robust design guarantees longevity and allows a wide range of settings to be tested without danger. A safety ring encloses the propellers; a modular guard from above is available as an option. The joint can be reconfigured between one, two and three degrees of freedom in seconds, so the controller is developed step by step and safely across the degrees of freedom before the system flies freely. Students do not get hurt, and the hardware stays intact.

Yes. We show you the QCS live in a free, non-binding web demo of about 20 minutes and answer your questions. For the delivery drone and the drone port a consultation is possible at any time – on request with a visit to the drone port in Würzburg. For custom systems, industrial applications and research and development projects we also recommend a consultation in which we go through your requirements together. You can book the appointment directly on the website: request an appointment.

Starter: the complete QCS with stand and joint, not flight-capable – the entry point at the workbench. Flight (QCS-F): additionally battery, remote control with receiver, landing gear and Bluetooth telemetry – the system takes off. Premium: additionally frame, motor and propeller upgrades for around 500 g payload. Most universities choose the Flight package.

Yes. The Q-series development platforms use the same software platform as the QCS. Projects from teaching can be transferred to the flight-capable platforms without any porting effort – from the quadrotor with 200 g payload to the hexacopter with 10 kg payload and 60 minutes of flight time.