Announcing ArduCopter, the merger of the ArduPilot and AeroQuad projects!

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.

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 List
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

Software Roadmap
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)

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Comments

Developer

Jani Hirvinen July 9, 2010 at 3:12am

try wirelesshobby for example...
Craig Burden July 9, 2010 at 3:02am

do you know of any video telemetry systems with those specs??
i cant find any...
Developer

Jani Hirvinen July 9, 2010 at 12:30am

@Jezz well trust me, when it's ready for public we will announce it in here and DIY front pages or somewhere else too :)

Just be patient a bit more.
Jezz Azio July 8, 2010 at 11:36pm

Hi all, ok how is this system different from the DJI XP3.1 system build by DJI-innovations, an Estonian compkany which does aerial surveillance.I was told that the syetm costs around 3400 Euros.That is the basic setup without waypoints.I am interested in buying this system but because the basic functions isn't enough. I am looking forward to purchasing Arducopter and waiting for the green light to be ordered.
Developer

Jani Hirvinen July 8, 2010 at 5:33pm

I would go for 1.3Ghz video links due manytimes we use Xbee on 900. Eg. 900 = Xbee telemetry, 1.3Ghz videolink, 2.4Ghz main control
Craig Burden July 8, 2010 at 11:28am

the only other is a 900Mhz 200mW... any good?
geir July 7, 2010 at 5:18am

Humz yes thats quite short. But still it's verry cheep :)
Developer

Jani Hirvinen July 6, 2010 at 5:55pm

Most of countries they have laws for UAV's and it says that you are not allowed to fly further than 250 m from pilot's location due it has autopilots on board. And we would never fly further than that never.. right guys?? :)

100mW sounds a bit low, I have one 100mW here and I hardly get good signal from 50m away so a bit stronger would be good to have
Craig Burden July 6, 2010 at 12:52pm

i would not go to far as telling the direction would be kind of hard, being a quad its hard enough .

as far as i know 100mW should give you about 1mile for you imperial folks.
Bob Hern July 6, 2010 at 11:02am

but how far do you fly a quad away from you vs a plane?

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