Guidance Needed for UAV Electronics: Delivery & Surveillance Projects

Hello ECE enthusiasts,

I’m a Mechanical Engineering student working on a project for designing two specialized drones:

  1. Delivery UAV: Payload capacity (~2–3 kg), GPS-based navigation, and obstacle avoidance for urban deliveries.

  2. Surveillance UAV: Equipped with thermal/infrared cameras, autonomous navigation, and long flight endurance (~60 minutes).

Challenges with Electronics:

Choosing reliable sensors (GPS, IMU, altimeters) that balance cost and accuracy.

Developing AI-based navigation and obstacle detection for autonomous flight.

Integrating high-power batteries without compromising safety or efficiency.

Any advice, resources, or recommendations for electronics, controllers (e.g., Pixhawk), or AI systems would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!