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Posted by Chris Anderson on May 1, 2010 at 3:30pm

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Convert any RC airplane into a fully-autonomous UAV!
Just add the APM 2 autopilot to any RC aircraft and it becomes a fully-programmable flying robot with a powerful ground station and Mission Planner.  

 

Features include:

  • Return to Launch with a flick of your RC toggle switch or a mouse click in the graphical Ground Station
  • Unlimited 3D GPS waypoints
  • Built-in camera control
  • Fully-scriptable missions
  • One-click software load, and easy point-and-click configuration in the powerful Mission Planner. NO programming required!
  • Replay recorded missions and analyze all the data with a graphing interface
  • Supports two-way telemetry with Xbee wireless modules. 
  • Point-and-click waypoint entry or real-time mission commands while the UAV is in the air
  • Fly with a joystick or gamepad via your PC--no need for RC control!
  • Built-in failsafe will bring your aircraft home in the case of radio loss

 

All instructions and software are here.

 

 

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APM 2 is an open source, Arduino-compatible, pro-quality autopilot. It is the most advanced IMU-based open source autopilot available today, and provides an entire UAV control system with scriptable missions with 3D waypoints, in-flight uploading of commands and powerful ground station software. 

 

APM 2 supports any kind of of vehicle with a one-click change of code. Available code include ArduPlane (fixed wing), ArduCopter (rotary wing), ArduRover (ground vehicles) and more.

 

Everything you need to create an ArduPlane UAV:

 

*  APM 2.5 autopilot with GPS ($179)

*  [Optional] Telemetry kit ($75).

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You'll also need a at least a five-channel RC radio setup, a soldering iron, a mini USB cable and of course something that flies!3689354440?profile=original (We're partial to the SkyFun delta wing (right) and
Bixlee 2   powered glider (left) or its equivalents ourselves).

 

 

 

 

Resources:

Manual
Source code/firmware

Note: ArduPilot Mega requires no programming, but it's open source and you're welcome to modify it if you'd like. If you are going to play with the code, you can use the free Arduino IDE to edit and upload the code to the ArduPilot board.

 

 

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Comments

  • Dean September 26, 2010 at 9:32am
    I updated the two week old code that I have been using from the svn today and noticed that APM_config.h is now supplied as an example file and has been cleaned up substantially (nice!). However, the example file does not seem to contain the commands for setting control limits. Is this an oversight, or will users be required to wiggle sticks on startup to define the limits? Thanks!
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson September 25, 2010 at 9:45pm
    Please use the latest code from the svn and report issues in the google code issue tracker.or wait for the public beta in a week
  • Dean September 25, 2010 at 9:31pm
    I am installing my hardware in a SkyFun Jet and I can't seem to get the mixing to work in stabilize mode. I can set the switches on the board so that my control inputs move the surfaces correctly, but then the autopilot inputs to the control surfaces are incorrect. Or, I can set the switches so that the autopilot moves the surfaces correctly in response to an upset, but then my inputs from the transmitter are incorrect. In manual mode everything is fine. Any suggestions?
  • Steven September 24, 2010 at 11:53am
    I'm really embarrassed. I forgot all about the switches.. Sorry for the wasted bits.

    Steve
  • Developer
    Michael Smith September 24, 2010 at 11:38am
    APM can't tell which way your servos are connected. This is explained in the manual here:

    http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/Reversing
  • Steven September 24, 2010 at 11:37am
    I seem to be having an issue with the elevator. It seems like the elevator is reversed, when I point the model down, the elevator goes down, and when I point the model up the elevator goes up. This is opposite of what I would expect. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
  • Developer
    Doug Weibel September 22, 2010 at 8:23pm
    @flying-toh

    Try getting data using U-Center first to rule out a hardware problem. I am not a U-Center expert, but there are a few threads here about it.
  • flying toh September 22, 2010 at 7:20pm
    @Doug Weibel
    i'm powering up by usb and battery at the same time. my imu Led B is getting a solid yellow. while my LED C is flashing .so i'm guessing i'm not getting any gps lock?
    my U-Center is flashing dark green and light green, but i am not receiving any information about the location. i'm using baudrate 38400.
  • Developer
    Doug Weibel September 22, 2010 at 5:23pm
    @flying-toh
    The current APM software uses libraries for all of the gps code. Please review the manual.

    Powering the APM by USB may or may not supply enough power to get lock with your gps. It depends on how much power your computer will source through the usb cable.
  • Steven September 22, 2010 at 5:03pm
    Excellent. Thanks Michael. I just wanted to be sure.
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