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
TenzinR, dont' worry you can buy it legally from everywhere, DIY just don't want to push their luck to sell those together. So like said, problem is on seller end if any.
Few years ago few high level executives from Yamaha were arrested and sent to jail due exporting helicopters to china for photography purposes. Don't know what is their situation now but still. And I'm sure that we don't want to read similar posting but having my, Jordi or Chris's name on it :P
Japan Times Online (March 2007):
" Yamaha indictment
SHIZUOKA (Kyodo) Shizuoka prosecutors filed a summary indictment Friday against Yamaha Motor Co. on a charge of attempting to export without authorization a helicopter drone to China that could be converted to military use, including bio-warfare.
On the same day, prosecutors released Kazuo Uchiyama, 58, senior general manager of the company's aeronautical operations, and his two deputies from custody, deeming only the company should be prosecuted as the three became involved in the case in service for the company, which earlier reports said had shipped to its Chinese connection several of the remote-controlled choppers that have long range and can be operated over the horizon. Under a summary indictment, the accused need not face trial or prison.
Police arrested the executives on Feb. 23 after they allegedly tried to export an RMAX helicopter to a Chinese aerial photography company, Beijing BVE Technology Co., without approval from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Dec. 21, 2005. Police suspect the Chinese company has links with the People's Liberation Army."
And those helis were able to work in ranges less than 200 meters from pilot.
- radio : Turnigy 9X 9Ch (mode 2, as mode 1 was on backorder as well)
- Battery : ZIPPY Flightmax 2200mAh 3S1P 15C
- charger+power supply : Turnigy Accucel-6 50W 6A Balancer/Charger
The shipping to Eu costed 1/3 of the whole price... too bad there are not many of those things in EU
Now waiting for the full kit to be available :)
How are Canadian/US UAV regulations? Where can we buy a full kit legally? Do we need to order from Korea as well?
Currently PhiFUN is under heavy renewal process and new pages will be announced soon.
This is one reason why PhiFUN exists on a country that does not have any export restrictions for UAV electronics & devices.
I'm wating for official release launched.
-
10
-
11
-
12
-
13
-
14
of 82 Next