Abstract-In this paper, a method to identify parameters of a multicopter is proposed via a compound pendulum test rig and data from an optical position tracking system. Moments of inertia and thrust parameters of a hexacopter are evaluated. In addition, a specific method is introduced to identify the torque by a propeller using a floating test bed. Then, nonlinear dynamic model is derived based on the obtained parameters. To verify the identification method, simulation results using the nonlinear model are compared with experimental results from flight tests.

SUMMARYIn this paper, a force and torque controller for aerial manipulation is developed using an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a robotic arm to interact near or on a vertical surface such as a wall. Control of aerial manipulators interacting with the environment is a challenging task due to dynamic interactions between aerial vehicles, robotic arms, and environment. To achieve this, modeling of aerial manipulators is first investigated and presented considering interaction with the environment. Nonlinear models of generic aerial manipulators, as well as of a prototype aerial manipulator composed of a hexacopter with a three-joint robotic arm, are established. An equilibrium-based force and torque controller is developed to conduct tasks that require the aerial manipulator to exert forces and torques on a wall. Simulations and experiments validate the performance of the controller that successfully applies desired forces and torques to an object fixed on a wall while flying near the wall.