the first step for launching your space-faring floating island community is to move into the sky with a little autonomous blimp drone. sadly, if you have a funny life experience where you teleport around the country all the time, you'll need a way to collect supplies for airfaring life that you don't leave behind. so, sending robots into [air]space first lets them accumulate supplies for you there until you move there yourself.
- arduino or other SOC - sim card add-on to SOC if doesn't come with - gps add-on to SOC if doesn't come with - prepaid data sim - configure arduino to listen on the sim via e.g. SSH while powered - test that one can connect to SOC via sim - motor control hardware for SOC with at least 4-5 three-state channels (maybe plan for 8-10 to add options implementing 3-state control unless it comes with this) - sealed lead acid battery (could use lithium ion for lightweightness if needed) - 2 buck-boost regulators, one to float the battery, another to power the SOC unless it takes the battery voltage - 4-5 motors; 1 sturdy and slow to raise/lower something below the object, the rest speedy and powerful to push it through the air - spool and turbines for the motors to drive - solar panel - fine and rugged polyester twine to hang panel and tether from - wiring - liftable balloon [also need structure, a way to attach everything to the balloon; one could lash them with polyester twine, possibly, or make a frame and attach them and the balloon to the frame if you make a frame you get to call it a 'zeppelin' instead of a 'blimp' i think
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most people already have an SOC (system-on-a-chip) of some sort: an arduino, a cell phone. something. additionally, a prototype could function off wifi without a SIM at first. let's break that list into things i could get at a store, things i'd have to order, and things i already have. Already have: - SOC Could do now: - configure an SOC for remote access Do not have: - active prepaid sim - wiring - turbines & spool - balloon & lifting gas - solar power Might have, not sure: - motor hardware - maybe 1 buck boost regulator, unsure - rugged twine let me check what i have for motor control hardware 2025-03-15 0522 ET here's what i found: 2 small dc motors 2 servos 1 motor control board for 1 motor 2 5v relays 2 motor encoders the motor control board is part of a fan kit so there are options there's also a 3d printer here although i'm a little limited on my use of it the 2 servos i think connect to a tiny 2-axis gimbal so basically the thing i'm most missing is the balloon with lifting gas. after that a battery with voltage regulation. assuming i can use something random as twine for now.