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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

  • Uwe Gartmann October 25, 2010 at 12:54pm
    Baloon missions: keep in mind that electrolytic capacitors may running out of specs at such high altitudes (risk of burst)
  • Uwe Gartmann October 25, 2010 at 12:23pm
    While searching for an editor with syntax highlighting i found Notepad++ It allows multiple documents in one window and searching thru all opened documents.
  • Uwe Gartmann October 25, 2010 at 12:19pm
    Does somebody here use the Jeti 2G4 system for RC control?
    I write a GCS using build in JETI-telemetry using the JETI Box (display and cursor buttons).
  • Daniel R Ramirez Rebollo October 25, 2010 at 12:10pm
    well I'm not sure but you must change some #defines maybe or check in the libraries which of them they put the function and configuration for put data on that output , I'm pretty sure you have to check in the libraries there's where I remeber I saw something about outputs
  • iangl October 25, 2010 at 11:54am
    Dear community, need help with APM code. I'm almost sure I burnt my output channel n.1. How can I choose another output for the servo? thank you!
  • Admin
    Thomas J Coyle III October 22, 2010 at 4:25pm
    @Michael,

    -40 degrees C is a mil temp range value and I doubt that a COTS module like the APM will function well at that temperature. Most airborne uninhabited aircraft processors are burned in (ESS) between -40 and +80 degrees C.

    Regards,
    TCIII
  • Moderator
    Sgt Ric October 22, 2010 at 3:17pm
    Another group from right here in northern Alberta sent a balloon up with an insulated tracking compartment and an HD camcorder.
    They had anticipated and prepared for the low temps, but another problem they had was a leak in the membrane for the Start/Stop/rewind, etc controls. The increased pressure on landing made the camera controls go screwy.
  • Moderator
    Sgt Ric October 22, 2010 at 3:08pm
    Check with member TJ Borgelon or go to his site at bordelon dot net.
    (he's been to space with his rig, so he has inside info)
  • Michael October 22, 2010 at 2:31pm
    Well, there are two options: 1) Look up the operating temp. range for each component, or 2) Get some dry ice and try it. Option #2 is probably the quickest way to get there. It's not like someone is going to be onboard if it fails.
  • Matthias Badaire October 22, 2010 at 2:26pm
    me thinking "yesterday I flew at 200m altitude and that was REALLY high ..."
    hum...8)
This reply was deleted.