Modern remote control (RC) radios offer remarkable ranges, yet they are essentially built for line-of-sight use. But what happens when you want to control a vehicle situated hundreds of kilometers away or even across continents? While cellular technology presents a possible avenue, its practicality is often hindered by the limitations of existing infrastructure—gaining a cell signal in the vastness of the open ocean can pose significant challenges.
Imagine being able to issue commands from space. This was the aim of [Thingify] when they created a prototype RC boat utilizing a Starlink Mini for its communication requirements. There was confidence that the device would perform efficiently on the boat due to its compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient construction. The key question remained whether the network connection could support real-time operation of the vehicle.
Initial tests conducted on the ground revealed encouraging outcomes with the Mini Starlink receiver. Despite being about one-quarter the size of the larger version, the Mini matched or even exceeded performance metrics concerning bandwidth, latency, and signal strength. As expected, its power usage was substantially lower, reaching a maximum of approximately 33 watts, compared to the substantial 180 watts typical of its larger sibling.
Furthermore, trials conducted in water revealed even more promising results. The bandwidth was adequate for streaming high-definition video back to the command center while the boat autonomously navigated between designated waypoints. When [Thingify] switched to manual control, the latency remained sufficiently low to avoid disruption. Although manually piloting a fast-moving aircraft through Starlink may not be the best choice, directing a boat traveling at 4 km/h did not reveal any significant lag issues.
Nonetheless, there are certain limitations. The Starlink option entails a considerable cost; unless you have a very specific purpose in mind, the expenses may be difficult to justify. The Mini receiver retails for $599 USD (occasionally available at a discounted rate), plus a minimum monthly subscription fee of $50. While this pricing might make it inaccessible for hobbyist RC fans, [Thingify] believes it may be a worthwhile investment for those eager to venture into new and uncharted territories.
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