ArduPilot

ArduPilot is a family of open source autopilots based on the Arduino platform. It consists of:

 ArduPilot Mega



ArduPilot Mega is a pro-quality IMU autopilot based on the Arduino Mega platform, which will fly fixed-wing aircraft, quadcopters and (soon) helicopters, handling both autonomous stabilization and GPS navigation. It supports 8 RC channels, has four serial ports and features an all-in design. It consists of a main processor board (the red board above, available from Sparkfun for $59) and an IMU shield (the green board on top of the red board at the top of the page) that fits on it (available from the DIY Drones store for $149). Add a GPS module and Xbee wireless models for telemetry and you have a complete autopilot solution. [Status: Board and IMU shield available. Code coming by July 9.] Main product page is here.

Everything you need for ArduPilot Mega:

• ArduPilot Mega board
  
• ArduPilot IMU shield
• Two 3x8 right-angle headers for RC connection
  
• GPS module (MediaTek or uBlox 5+adapter recommend)
• Six female-to-female servo cables to connect ArduPilot Mega to your RC system
• [Optional] Two Xbee modules for wireless telemetry. This one with this adapter in the air and this one with this antenna and this adapter board (or, even better, our ArduStation) on the ground/laptop side. You can connect the airborne Xbee adapter to Ardupilot Mega with jumper wires.

The total is around $300 for the basic autopilot kit, plus another $110 if you want to add wireless telemetry.

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  ArduPilot



ArduPilot is a smaller autopilot, based on the Arduino platform, for simpler fixed-wing aircraft. It also handles both autonomous stabilization and GPS navigation. It supports 4 RC channels in (3 out) and has one serial port. The main board is available from Sparkfun for $24. It can use either thermopile sensors ($99) with an optional shield, which includes an airspeed sensor, or an IMU ($99). Add a GPS module and Xbee wireless models for telemetry and you have a complete autopilot solution. [Status: All hardware available; code mature and stable]. Main product page is here.

Everything you need for ArduPilot:

• ArduPilot board and a row of breakaway headers
• Shield expansion kit with airspeed sensor
• GPS module (MediaTek or uBlox 5+adapter and cable recommended)
• XY and Z sensors or an ArduIMU+
• FTDI cable for programming
• Four female-to-female servo cables to connect ArduPilot to your RC system
• [Optional] Two Xbee modules for wireless telemetry. This one with this adapter in the air and this one with this antenna and this adapter board (or, even better, our ArduStation) on the ground/laptop side. You can connect the airborne Xbee adapter to Ardupilot with jumper wires.

The total is around $270 for the basic autopilot kit, plus another $110 if you want to add wireless telemetry.

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 ArduPilot EZ

This is an entry-level autopilot designed to be low-cost, easy to use and friendly for beginners. It consists of the basic ArduPilot board with a special "turn-rate limiter" shield that has gyros and GPS built in, so it requires no additional parts. It's design to fly relatively stable aircraft or steer land rovers and water vehicles autonomously. [Status: Available in Q3 2010].

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