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
So I did some flying today:
I was flying in strong wind and to keep my copter hover i moved stick forward over 50% and behold... Front flip and down crash :)) (btw AC stability was perfect in this wind)
Maybe limiting AutoAcro or setting it in steps like 50% 70-75% or even 90% ??!
I know: "@Max you DO NOT fly in strong winds" :) but testing things is
The real fun :)
It's hard to find stuff for DIY RC and electronics in Israel I can make very long list
Of things you can't buy here ( depron, props, lipos,) and it took me 2 days
To find alum bar and only 6 m long, and cutting it by my self on parkinglot ...
it was only 10$ :)))))))
Arm the motors !!! good flying to all !!!
If you want cheap arms (booms) buy the Rad Rotary Rev 7. The chassis runs $150 with all of the fittings sans motors, ESCs, batteries, etc. However the good news is it uses T-Rex 450 tail booms that are light weight, cheap, and found in almost any hobby shop. I have one and I like it. The fab quality is excellent and spare parts are reasonably priced. Plent of them in the air.
Check it out: http://aglhobbiesllc.com/shop/viewitem.php?groupid=1&productid=2
Just a thought.
Regards,
TCIII
When somebody builds a better mousetrap using alternative materials, awesome! We've all seen the various hardware coming out of our fellow members' workshops- and that's what I think is the big seller here- DIY :)
First off, the alu arms are expensive for any product in beta, they bend easily and the screws etc. need to not fall into the rc car trap of being overly expensive. If I didn't want to invest in Janis products I wouldn't bother complaining but I have invested and expect to continue to invest. Therefore I expect to see resonable pricing and no proprietry products.
As for Aerocopter, there seemed to be some email confusion with Ted but he had now replied to my email of today with the most excellent service that I have received from any supplier EVER. So I'm impressed with that.
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