Rainbow Six Siege-Inspired Airsoft Drone

WHO I AM?

Hello! I'm a computer engineering student with a strong passion for hardware, embedded systems, and microcontrollers.

I enjoy designing custom devices inspired by real-world and fictional technologies, with the goal of recreating them at a significantly lower cost so that other students, hobbyists, and makers can build them using accessible components.

This project is only the beginning of a larger series of builds I plan to develop, with each future project increasing in complexity, functionality, and technical challenge.

Current Status

The schematic, PCB layout, and manufacturing files have all been finalized and are ready for the first prototype production run.

The next stage of the project will focus on hardware validation, firmware development, and the communication infrastructure required to deploy and coordinate multiple drones simultaneously. As an independent open-source developer, prototype manufacturing is currently one of the largest obstacles to moving the project forward. PCBWay sponsorship would make it possible to manufacture the first boards, validate the design, improve the hardware, and release a fully tested version to the community.

Project Overview

This project is an open-source compact wheeled drone inspired by the reconnaissance drone featured in Rainbow Six Siege.

The objective is to recreate the functionality and appearance of the in-game drone as closely as reasonably possible while keeping the design affordable, reproducible, and suitable for hobbyist manufacturing.

The drone is designed to support:

• Remote movement control
• Real-time onboard video
• Multiple-drone communication and coordination
• Status indication through colored LEDs
• Future jumping capabilities

The long-term vision is to build a complete system in which multiple drones can be deployed during an airsoft match, allowing individual players or teams to use them for reconnaissance in a way that recreates some of the gameplay mechanics and atmosphere of Rainbow Six Siege. For many players and electronics enthusiasts, physically recreating this type of system is something that has previously existed mainly inside the game. This project aims to turn that concept into an affordable and reproducible open-source platform.

Features

• ESP32 AI Thinker camera module
• OV3660 camera with 120° wide-angle lens
• DRV8833 dual motor driver
• 2× N20 brushed DC motors
• Colored status LED for different operating states, including inactive, search, and patrol modes
• ESP-NOW-based communication for multi-device interaction and coordination
• Remote movement control
• Real-time onboard video capability
• Compact PCB designed specifically for installation inside the drone chassis

Estimated Hardware Cost

ESP32 AI Thinker + OV3660 camera: approximately €10

DRV8833 motor driver board: approximately €1.50

Miscellaneous electronics, including 2N7000 MOSFETs, resistors, LEDs, connectors, and passive components: approximately €4

Additional costs include the two N20 motors, PCB fabrication, mechanical components, battery, and 3D-printed chassis.

The objective is to keep the complete drone inexpensive enough that several units can eventually be produced and deployed simultaneously.

Open Source

All hardware design files, firmware, software, 3D models, and documentation are or will be released under open-source licenses.

The goal is to provide a platform that anyone can study, manufacture, modify, and improve without unnecessary restrictions.

PCB source files, schematics, manufacturing files, firmware, mechanical designs, documentation, and future revisions will all be made publicly available through my linked GitHub repository.

Why I'm Requesting Sponsorship

This project is developed independently in my spare time and is not funded by a company, university, or commercial organization.

PCBWay's sponsorship would directly enable the first prototype production run, allowing the PCB design to be manufactured, assembled, tested, verified, and improved before being released as a proven open-source project. After receiving and assembling the boards, I will document the complete build process, perform electrical and functional validation, develop and test the firmware, publish project updates, and release the design files and documentation publicly. PCBWay will be credited as the project sponsor throughout the development documentation and published project material.

WORDS TO PCBWAY

Thank you for taking the time to review my project.

I truly appreciate PCBWay's continued support of the open-source hardware and maker communities. Many independent developers have been able to transform ideas into real, fully documented projects through your sponsorship program, and I hope to do the same with this drone platform. Your support would allow me to manufacture the first prototypes, validate the PCB and mechanical design, develop the firmware, publish testing results, and release a reliable open-source platform that others can study, reproduce, modify, and build upon.

This project also represents the beginning of a larger series of increasingly complex open-source hardware projects that I intend to develop and document publicly. I will document the complete development process, share the assembled boards and finished drones, publish future revisions, and proudly acknowledge PCBWay's sponsorship throughout the project.

Thank you for considering my application.