DIYer builds world's smallest FPV drone capable of stable flight - Yanko Design

"What you are seeing here could be the smallest FPV quadcopter drone on the planet, measuring just 22.3 millimeters. That is comparable to the width of a coin, making the thing really tiny. The challenges in creating such a small drone are incomprehensible, right from aerodynamics to fitting the complex electronics inside a small frame. That's the reason this flying machine ditches the landing gear and shielding."

"Created by Hoarder Sam, a YouTuber who's a DIY engineer, the microdrone brings the capabilities of a commercial 65-millimeter model inside a housing that's one-third the size. You can literally fit it inside a Pringles without anyone even assuming. According to the DIYer, making anything smaller than 22 mm is currently not feasible, as the drone would be unstable in flight, have degraded efficiency, and would be hard to control."

"By adopting the right design approach, Hoarder managed to overcome all challenges and prove the community wrong with the world's smallest FPV drone. It all started with the teardown of BetaFPV Air65 drone, which is regarded as one of the most compact FPV drones out there. He salvaged the brushless motor system, integrated a 5.8 GHz analog video transmitter, a high-precision ICM42688P gyroscope, and the STM32 G473 microcontroller."

An FPV quadcopter measuring 22.3 millimeters in width combines commercial miniaturized parts and a custom frame to achieve functional flight. The design salvages a BetaFPV Air65's brushless motor system and integrates a 5.8 GHz analog video transmitter, an ICM42688P gyroscope, and an STM32 G473 microcontroller. The tiny craft omits landing gear and shielding to save weight and space. A custom 3D-printed frame provides millimeter precision and durability. The builder used a Bambu Lab A1 Mini printer with 0.12-millimeter layer resolution to eliminate overhangs and bridges and compress the electronics layout. Flight stability below 22 mm is deemed infeasible.

Read at Yanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News