IMAGINOVA CDT
Concept Development Team

Design based development of innovations and solutions

Using 3D content and visual effects for evaluation of new concepts

ChatGPT generated drone flying over Rome

IMAGINOVA offers assistanse within several design arenas. As an example, we have designed, 3D printed, manufactured and flown our own Avioni autonomous drone concept. Currently, AI has been taken into use as a support tool, epecially for quick illustration purposes, like in the image above.

IMAGINOVA can assist within a range of creative design processes, including 3D prints of customer design concepts and constructions.

AVIONI DRONES

IMAGINOVA design, manufacture and fly our own autonomous drones. We develop prototypes of new concepts for autonomous drones for specific purposes. Physical implementations are a mix of purchased standard "quadcopter" electronics, mechanical parts and our 3D designed and printed custom parts.

The Avioni1 (below) is the first of three stages in our drone development plan. It flew its first autonomous mission test Nov. 2 2020. This first prototype was primarily a learning process; to design, 3D print and assemble a drone with the required electronics and equipment to fly a planned autonomous mission.

Avioni first autonomous flight

Avioni2 development

Encouraged by a sucessful first prototype maiden flight, a new drone found it's place on the drawing board. To ensure a flexible design and future reuse of common structural parts, a modular approach was needed.

Avioni2 is basically built as a Lego Technic kit, and is put together by carbon rods and 3D printed PLA. That's all there is to it. The challenge was to make a design that could be combined with this modular approach

Modular build is the key

Shown above is a collection of some of the wing assembly parts, which allows for determining wing span depending on drone mission and payload. On the Ultimaker2 print bed, there are a part Avioni2 tail section, and a "drag reducer".

Testing wing servo parts

Actuators are used to change the shape of the drone, and it must be tested. The actuator cylinder rod is barely visible, connected to the black wing bracket of the Avioni2. A 3D tool is OK to verify the operation, but a real test as shown here is the "proof in the pudding".

Avioni2 - the new version

Electronics components installed: PixRacer flight controller, GPS/Glonass, FrSky receiver, Telemetry, DJI O3 Air unit with camera (for FPV flying), and an additional GoPro camera for movie missions.

FrSky S.Port signals test rig

Verifying correct signals and power consumption for the central module, before finalizing wiring and connections.

Thanks to Ferrx.no for loan of equipment.

How to start development

How to start the creative process of developing a drone is higly dependent of preferences and skills. "Normally" an idea is scribbled down onto whatever type of paper which is available. If starting digitally, the SimplePlanes program might be a good solution. It provides an intuitive construction of your drone by assembling the required objects provided in the user interface.

Building your idea is therefore an intuitive drag-and-drop experience, so you can concentrate on the creative part of your process. When you think your drone or airplane is able to fly, just push the start button, and your construction is ready to take off at the runway.

Both Avioni drone designs started with ideas put together with the SimplePlanes program. It's available at the Steam gaming platform - and a new version is announced for launch in April. Let's hope the developers keep it simple!

SimplePlanes is on Steam

SimplePlanes creative arena

The possibilities are endless. For relaxation and fun, this is also the place for making crazy things!

Some relevant references

Here is a collection of information links used specifically for Avioni development. For new and unique conceptual ideas, it may be more effective to use ChatGPT or similar tools. It's your choice ...

IMAGINOVA DESIGN SAMPLES

The following 3D artwork designs are samples from IMAGINOVA, made by designer Andreas Fjell All models are currently located on the Sketchfab site.

Sea Wraith

Andreas comments: “The Sea Wraith is a VTOL close air support vehicle developed for coastal defense and carrier escort. Fitted with four 40mm autocannons and high-powered jamming systems, it provides the fleet with a strong suite of countermeasures against hostile drone swarms and cruise missiles.” This is a vehicle inspired by classic cold-war era engineering insanity as well as the oddball machines of the Red Alert universe with a dash of the flying contraptions of Studio Ghibli.

Independence Day City Destroyer

Inspired by the Independence Day movie, Andreas has 3D modeled the Independence Day City Destroyer, and animated its terrible death ray weapon. If you want to go straight to it, click the animation arrow button and select the "Animated deathray" annotation. Then, the model will reposition to allow you see it. Fullscreen is really scary. Enjoy!

Ozymandias 2119

Modeling and texturing by Andreas Fjell, designed by Mike Schovitz the great and powerful. Desert materials by Silusanders, Nicolas Millot, mottomo.jk, and gametextures.com. See Andreas' blog why he created this model and how he did it

De Haviland Vampire

The Vampire jet fighter was used by Royal Norwegian Air Force from 1948 to 1955. This type is actually flown by Knut T. Fjell, Andreas' grandfather!

Independence Day Alien Attacker

Here is the Independence Day Alien Attacker, as it appeared in the movie. Have a look at the VIDEO SAMPLE page to see a clip of the Alien Attacker in its right environment.

VIDEO SAMPLE

Spark Engine Machinima: The Attacker

Sample from IMAGINOVA production by Andreas Fjell on Vimeo. It shows the Independence Day Alien Attacker. It is placed in the Spark game engine made by Unknown Worlds Entertainment. The hangar scene is modeled from the Independence Day movie.

3D PRINTING

IMAGINOVA offers 3D prototype printout services. It is a simple and effective way of demonstrating your idea, or to test prototypes that do not need metal strength. We offer assistance along your design path, from idea to printed model.

The Ultimaker2

See how it works

Independence Day 3D Print Timelapse. The Ultimaker2 is a well proven and reliable printer for 3D printing up to 20x21x23cm prototypes. In most cases, smaller models is more than enough for illustrating your design ideas.

IMAGINOVA RACING

Among IMAGINOVA leisure activities is Roadracing. It's the perfect way of NOT to think about work related problems when at the circuit. You simply can't!

The picture right is taken at Arctic Circle Raceway, Mo i Rana, the best racing circuit in Northern Europe. For racing enthusiasts, here is an on-board GoPro recording from the Arctic Championship July 2021 2-lap Sprint run

Once in life you must do the ultimate thing, like driving at the legendary Mugello track. In this case, participating in the Ducati Riding Academy DRE experience. Here, you get the chance to ride a factory new Ducati, guided by world class instructors. I got a Panigale V2, Bayliss signed and numbered bike, as shown in the picture.
Included in the One-to-One course was a personalised video from the one day event.

In the winter season, there are other means for practicing, like playing MotoGP21 on Playstation. It's a good way to prepare for new tracks. As an example, the following link is clip from a 3 lap Playstation race at the famous Mugello MotoGP track. The picture right is a ChatGPT generated picture from the same track, from the notorious Arrabiata2 blind turn

ChatGPT generated picture from Arrabiata2 at Mugello

Imaginova at Audi Experience day at Silverstone, UK.

Car driving is for obvious reasons much safer, so we tried Audi Experience Day at Silverstone, UK.

There were a lot of people there from other companies that also needed a "day off" from the daily threadmill. According to their happy faces during the event, we recommend this before contacting a psychotherapist.

There are some few alternatives in Norway, so why not go for it! Both Vålerbanen and Rudskogen offer events that will make you smile.

ABOUT IMAGINOVA

Imaginova AS was founded May 27, 2016 and is located in Trondheim, Norway. The company has (by Oct 2023) been terminated, but we continue our work on a leisure basis, working with the same activities. Therefore, we now identify us with the name "Imaginova Concept Design Team"
Whenever there is a need for making some "physical stuff" like electronics or 3D printouts, we have the necessary tools to do so at our own premises. This is especially invaluable for our drone design activities, which comprises both. Send us a message to get in touch.

Andreas Fjell

LinkedIn profile

Visual Design artist, with specialization within Digital Special Effects and Computer Graphics Imagery. He produces 3D design and visual effects, targeted for the gaming industry, currently for the Age of Space game, via his Fjell3D sole proprietorship. Andreas can contribute in 3D design targeted for 3D printout, and also assist in movie recording and production.

Background: Bachelor (Hons) in Digital Visual Effects from University of Hertfordshire, UK.

Knut-Olav Fjell

LinkedIn profile

Concept developer and Imaginova Manager, responsible for economy, admin and marketing - like this WEB site. Can assist with idea development and design based innovation concepts and 3D CAD content integration and 3D printing.

Background: NTNU Cybernetics. Practice: Instrumentation systems, GIS, Oil&Gas value chain, Work processes, Industrial Gaming, 3D Design and Visualization.

IMAGINOVA.no
Markaplassen 40
N-7054 Trondheim

E-mail
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We rely on design based innovation

Collaboration on design solutions to specific challenges
Visual demonstration of conceptual design solutions
Production modeling 3D content for the game industry
Verifying design ideas by physical 3D printouts
Contribute in design and assembly of drone concepts

We can assist in activities related to

Video footage recording
Visual effects design (VFX)