I'm pleased to announce that we've joined forces with the other Arduino-based powerhouse in the aerial robotics world, the AeroQuad quadcopter team, to extend the ArduPilot platform to whirlybirds of all kinds. The project, called ArduCopter, will use the ArduPilotMega and IMU shield hardware along with a low-cost custom platform that will be available commercially to provide a full quad UAV with both stabilization and GPS waypoint navigation. It builds on the awesome work of Jose Julio in ArduPilot quad development, with the excellent full-systems integration of the AeroQuad team. We expect that first code and hardware will be available this summer.
And here's the impressive work of the AeroQuad team:
Another team is also extending this to traditional helis, starting with the Trex 450 heli (and its equivalents), which should be ready for release this fall. Along with Blimpduino, this should make for 100% coverage of all aerial robotics platforms on the Arduino platform, with shared libraries and ground stations across projects. Go Arduino!
We'll be setting up a proper microsite here, along with dedicated tab, for the project in the next few days.
If you haven't already seen this preview of what the ArduPilot/ArduIMU combo can do with quads, check this out:
And here's the impressive work of the AeroQuad team:
Here's the announcement from the AeroQuad team:
ArduCopter - The Full Featured UAV Multicopter!
Hey guys, as many of you know the AeroQuad has teamed up with DIY Drones on developing a very full featured multicopter! Chris from DIY Drones has proposed the name of this new effort to be called the ArduCopter! It will be based on the ArduPilot Pro Mega (APM) and the APM sensor board currently nicknamed the Oil Pan. Here's an initial feature list and software road map. Please chime in! Your input is valuable! I'll keep updating this front page until we agree on the first version of the ArduCopter's capabilities.
ArduCopter Feature ListSoftware Roadmap
- 6 Degree of Freedom IMU stabilized control
- Gyro stabilized flight mode enabling acrobatics (loops and barrel rolls)
- GPS for position hold
- Magnetometer for heading determination
- Barometer for altitude hold
- IR sensor integration for obstacle avoidance
- Sonar sensor for automated takeoff and landing capability
- Automated waypoint navigation
- Motor control using low cost standard PWM Electronics Speed Controllers (ESC's)
- On board flight telemetery data storage
- Mounted camera stabilization capability
- Wireless command & telemetry for long distance communication
- Capability to fly in "+", "x", hexa and octo configurations
- Battery level detection
- User configurable LED flight pattern
- Capability to use any R/C receiver
- ArduCopter Configuration and Ground Control Software
- Realtime graphs of flight data
- GUI for configuration of PID and other flight parameters
- On Screen Display integration
- Waypoint programming using Google Maps
- Mixertable view to auto configure "+", "x", hexa and octo configurations
- Initial baseline using Jose Julio's v3 software
- Provides absolute angle PID flight control
- Obstacle avoidance
- Waypoint navigation
- Generalize basic ArduCopter functions (ie. Separate PPM receiver input and motor control functions into separate libraries. Allows future coding of PWM vs. I2C ESC's)
- Emphasis on developing new capability into easy to use C++ libraries
- Integrate user defined EEPROM storage capability
- Develop/optimize AeroQuad serial real-time command/telemetry for ArduCopter
- Integrate AeroQuad Configurator for external software configuration of ArduCopter
- Rename Configurator to Ground Control Station and integrate graphical programming of waypoint navigation
- Integrate AeroQuad rate PID control
- Integrate mixertable configuration for multicopter configurations
- Integrate AeroQuad camera stabilization
- Integrate I2C motor control
- Develop capability to wirelessly control ArduCopter directly from Ground Control Station (USB joystick controller from laptop or through waypoint programming)
Comments
I saw you talking about mixer tables on page 1. What is this? And what is it used for??
Are prop guards on the list ?
To save propellers and for people safety.
No, the shield does not work with the standard Arduino Mega board. You need ArduPilot Mega, which has lots of additional autopilot functions.
You're really jumping in a bit early here, and it's too early to give you a list of what you'll need. All your questions will be answered when we release the product in a month or two.
Or I do need the : ArduPilot Mega - http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9710
This is the magnetometer? HMC5843 - Triple Axis Magnetometer
The gps is available in the store but not the adapter: http://store.diydrones.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SPK-GPS-G...
I will wait for both be available
Any ideas on servos and dc motors?
I guess will be good to have all the electronics and software before buy the frame and put all together
Ooops...new work laptop and it has one of those annoying nipples. Must turn that off!!
I meant to say: Is incorporating the current configuration controls for original Aeroquad users part of the roadmap for the GCS?
Also, great way to go with the option of PWM or I2C ESC's!!
But with the capability to wirelessly control ArduCopter directly from Ground Control Station (USB joystick controller from laptop or through waypoint programming) - May i suggest that capability to control from either the GCS or directly - with a WII nunchuck may be worth considering. I have used this method with excellent results thanks to a member of RCG. Truth is, it is a bit of a no brainer since I can just plug the WII nunchuck into the DX7 but it's a lot of fun and while I do want to do some serious waypoint controlled flying...sometimes I just want to fly for fun. :)
I have no doubt you guys will trim what is possible off the finished costs.
On to matters more important....When you say the configurator will be integrated and renamed GCS, I hope this means that all existing (necessary) functions will remain. As a user of the configurator from it's inception to it's rather polished (and very useful) present version, I would be sorry to see it set adrift. Furthermore, is it the roadmap t
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