Champlain Explorer Basics: Drone Boat 101

Champlain Explorer is ready for the challenges ahead! Here are some of these challenges and our plan in response: 
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Survival 

Previous attempts have been unsuccessful for several reasons: fishing nets, fishing boats, sea debris and even sharks have disabled competitors. Champlain Explorer is designed to be sleek which helps with efficiency and shedding of seaweed and fishing nets.  ​

Navigation

Unmanned Champlain Explorer uses an autopilot system. Specifically, the open source Pixhawk autopilot running Ardurover firmware. The autopilot uses GPS with a host of other sensors for positional information. We will pre-program waypoints for Champlain Explorer to follow along its journey. Exciting stuff! ​

Energy

Champlain explorer is an all-electric vehicle using two 100-watt solar panels to recharge recycled hoverboard Li-ion Batteries. 
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​Communication

Satellite communication will provide us with a two-way communication with Champlain Explorer at all times.