Design, Fabrication, and Test of a Modular Fixed-Wing VTOL Drone Platform for Sperm Whale Tracking and Localization

Abstract

Conducted in partnership with the Harvard REACT Lab and Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative), a global effort to decode sperm whale communication using machine learning and robotics, this project supports the advancement of autonomous sensing and signal analysis technologies for marine research. To advance CETI’s research in Dominica, our team designed and built a low-cost, battery-efficient, and mechanically robust aerial robotic platform tailored for deployment in harsh marine environments. The primary objective is to localize whales tagged with VHF transmitters, which do not provide GPS data, by measuring signal strength at multiple positions to triangulate their location. The system will autonomously locate and rendezvous with VHF-tagged whales, establish wireless communication with whale-mounted tags, and guide the UAV toward likely surfacing locations. Meeting these goals requires solving key challenges in waterproofing, compact payload integration, endurance, and stability during launch and recovery from research vessels. By combining structural analysis (FEA) and aerodynamic modeling (CFD), we aim to optimize performance and ensure reliability in the field. Ultimately, this project contributes to the development of novel tools for whale bio-acoustics, advancing inter-species communication research and marine conservation.