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APM: the Universal Autopilot

Posted by Chris Anderson on December 20, 2011 at 3:30pm

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I just had to a share a bit of pride that I got checking out the latest release (1.1.11) of the Mission Planner. Look at all those vehicles APM now supports!!! To say nothing of all the hardware-in-the-loop simulations at the bottom left of that screen. And ArduRover, ArduBoat, and coming soon, ArduBlimp (successor to Blimpduino) and ArduTank (!).

I think we just need to add ArduSub and ArduRocket and we've got the entire world of vehicles covered. Not bad for $200 ;-)

This why we call APM the Universal Autopilot. As far as I know, this sort of one-autopilot-does-everything has never been accomplished before. So proud of the dev teams!

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Comments

  • Helitrasher December 22, 2011 at 4:36am

    Yes very very nice but as Dennis pointed out, not yet complete ! ( twin motor VTOL would be nice ).

    I have done the mechanics and now for the APM editing, the tricopter setup is the closest i believe.

     

    Any Ideas !!

  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson December 21, 2011 at 10:02pm

    Dara: yes. Mission Planner source code is here. Hardware Eagle files are all posted in the product listings within a few weeks of product release. Go to the store and search for the product you want. 

  • Randy Ram December 21, 2011 at 10:25am

    Great. Didn't know if I can use the Ardu for my tricopter. Well, guess on all my birds then. Have a Radian, 3 Tri, 3 quads, 3 helis and more.... This stuff is going to be universal on my fleet. :-)

  • Anish December 21, 2011 at 5:53am

    @bill I am on the udb-dev list ( have udb 4 - so far only HIL), I have to thank Peter for introducing the same to me. I do keep track of your blogs and do listen to some of your adventures from Peter :)

  • T3
    William Premerlani December 21, 2011 at 5:36am

    @Anish,

    Like Brian Wolfe, I joined "UAV Anonymous" (so I wonder, is that autonomous anonymous?), took a 12 step program, kicked my addiction. But, alas, I fell of the wagon, I am back doing research. (See the UDB page for a list of my recent blogs.)

    I am presently doing research on two "insanely hard" problems that have not yet  been yet solved by the community. I have them solved theoretically, now I am working on implementation. The weather in the northeast United States has slown me down, I hope to have things working early next year.

    Best regards,

    Bill

  • Jason Wise December 21, 2011 at 1:17am

    Ardusub/ROV? that would be a can of awesome!

  • Jason Wise December 21, 2011 at 1:14am

    arducopter = APM :)

  • Jason Wise December 21, 2011 at 1:12am

    Love your mojo Chris and the work you have put in to introducing me to the world of mulirotors made possible by arducopter and the mission planner and all the tinkering in between, Cheers bud!

  • Anish December 20, 2011 at 11:03pm
    @bill I thought u left research a while back :), hats off to you. We are hoping on more algo's and optimisations flowing out of u to the community. Or even mentoring a few newbies in the art and craft ;)
  • Anish December 20, 2011 at 11:00pm
    @garry they are awesome, the only downside to electric is duration ( 8s dual pack 15-20 min)
    @chris another crazy idea a cycle stabilisation unit, just APM with reversible motor and flywheel ;)
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