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
When can we expect to find the props+motors+esc in the DIY SHOP?
I have a hunch, in about the same time as the frame and all the good stuff :)
Do you think there will be a kit that will have stronger motors and bigger props that can hold five to six lbs. payloads for DSLR cameras? Here are examples with a Canon 5d MK2, pan and roll/tilt.
http://vimeo.com/14125627
I have a Go Pro Hero HD and before I took my components off to make the beta frame, I had it mounted and flew with it a few times. Granted, it wasn't stabilized or able to pan and tilt, but I think it still looked great. The beta frame with that camera mounted would still be lighter than my previous frame without the camera, so I know there will be no trouble for me flying with it.
Jani, I really like that idea for the battery mount and those branch out boards for a camera
There will be two motor sets available. For smaller and bigger ArduCopters. Smaller are ideal for 8-10" props with 1000kv rate and other motors are for 12-14" props with 880kv rate. All motors will have 35cm long connecting cables with bullet connectors to easy connection.
Also we received today our ArduCopter ESCs, again two models 20Amp will be our main ESC and then we have a bit tougher which is 30Amp model. Also with these ESCs we should be able to get back our autocalibration, will tell more after we have tested properly our latest firmware on those ESCs and on ArduCopter software.
And last week we received our test shipment of propellers for ArduCopter. Sizes are 10x45, 12x45.
@Craig, umm i doubt that your ESCs can peak 50A.. Ok maybe once but after that they won't do anything. Usually peak current is just 15-25% more from nominal. Like our 20Amp model, it can peak to 25Amp for 20-30secs before you fry it. If ESC is bigger than motor that's ok but if motor is bigger than ESC.. You might have a problem.
Ok it's not so big problem in VTOL devices than helis and fixedwings due you hardly never go over 80% of power and even when you do it's just like max. second or something when you make agressive move. Most of the time I'd say people will use around 50-65% of ESC/Motor capasity.
@Max, if I just get hold one of those, sure I can look if we can make mount for that too..
We are always open for proposal, naturally we cannot do everything that people would like to have but you never know, your idea might go trough :)
Our goal is anways to make it as versatile as possible and now we just had our first beta release of it.. So there are a long way ahead and many happy flying hours...
Also I have been working to create pan & tilt mount. Mount is designed to carry one servo, you can install this mount either upwards or downwards. It can even hold hobbykings large tilt/pan mount.
You can have two of these mounts, one in front to hold cameras, one in rear to hold video transmitters and other electronics. Having two of them you also correct quads balance. You can also use this mount for sonars and other equipment. They can be installed front,rear,left and right between motor arms.
So like you can see, we have not forget FPV people and more will come.. You can follow my photo feed to see latest new parts that we are working on.
Yes..about cameras... flying the arducopter with FPV will be greate! have you experimented this? Or any one else? I did not read any post about it here yet.
While we are waiting feedback from frames that have been build already, I'm working on low noice UBECs and many other things around this frame.
So a 5v / 3 Amp UBEC will be the indicated for all the eletronics? Sorry if i ask again.. i´m very concerned with this point.
I personally go to choices 2 and 3. Our power distribution board gives an easy way to use UBEC from one of the ESCs. And there are even plans to create special power distribution board that has 3Amp UBEC on board. On my quads I always use UBEC that way I can be sure that there are enough power for electronics and also if I need to connect servos to APM, I don't face any problems in this case.
@Max Maxbotix LV-EZ0, EZ1 or even XL-EZ0,1,2,3 models. number means how narrow is the beam where 0 is widest. LV model is good for .5 - 3 meter altitudes and XL .5 - 6 meters.
What is the power to provide to the ardupilot mega and imuwith all sensors? it is indicated to use a external Ubec like this?: http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=...
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