Low-profile Mavic Pro Electronic Bait Drop

thingiverse

This is a bait/payload release device designed specifically for the Mavic Pro, utilizing the same LED-triggered electronics as Willem Jordaan's DJI Mavic Bait Drop: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3437969. The C2 button on the Mavic remote can be programmed to turn the front LEDs on or off, or trigger recording, which activates the release mechanism. This device requires no additional extensions to the drone legs and can be printed without supports. There are two versions available, depending on your battery size (9V or 2S LiPo). The finished device clips onto the bottom of the drone, hooks over Mavic's battery retaining buttons, and includes a rubber band or wire for added safety during flight. The photocell cover attaches to the front right LED of the Mavic, and should be printed with opaque black filament (100% infill) for optimal results. The main mechanism body can be printed with 10% infill to reduce weight. Required electronic components include an Arduino Nano (or clone) with a customized program to detect Mavic LEDs and control the servo, a photocell from an automatic nightlight, a 50K-100K ohm resistor, a micro servo such as the Tower Pro SG90, and necessary battery, wires, and connector. A 9V or small 2S 7.4V LiPo battery can be used for power, with the option to save weight by using a smaller battery like the Turnigy Nano-Tech 300mAh. A 7805 Voltage Regulator (or series diodes) is also required for the servo. Note that the Arduino Nano's 5V regulator may not provide sufficient voltage for the servo, and an external voltage regulator is recommended to prevent processor lockup or unexpected servo movement, especially at low input voltages. You may need to modify the Arduino .ino code to configure INPUT_VOLTAGE_HOLD/RELEASE values and SERVO_POSITION_HOLD/RELEASE values based on your photocell and servo specifications. Refer to comments in the .ino file for further instructions. This device was created using OpenSCAD and features a lower-profile design, making it suitable for use with various Mavic Pro batteries.