ArduPlane home page

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.

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).

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! (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

bob ma November 3, 2010 at 11:27am

that's what in my mind. But is there anyone has already written the program?
Daniel R Ramirez Rebollo November 3, 2010 at 11:09am

I havent found any but if your read the code there are many loops mediom loop ,loop , slow loop maybe you can create a function and call it from some where that reads one RC chanel and activate a servo for pushing the camera button just dont know if it will affect any timing and sync
bob ma November 3, 2010 at 10:54am

guys, does anyone know how to take a photo on certain gps point with the ardupilot mega? is there any thread about it?
Tero Koivunen November 2, 2010 at 2:00pm

Ok, when comes next APM software vesion (about), or should I try trunk version?
I think I'm soon ready to try APM in my airframe, eg. Stabilize, Fly by wire modes.
I have done some testing with 1.0 Beta, and its looks usable.
George October 31, 2010 at 3:09pm

Thanks Chris and Micheal.

I am using the whats available now with Legacy, although are having a few problems with the ArduPilotGCS-B2, the log file is 'temperamental', it doesn't like to shutdown and although GPS data in is good, GE doesn't seem to track (more likely a GE setting.....). That said I haven't had much of a chance to play around with it.

Yes Micheal I have loaded up ArduStationM and have a play, the only issue there is my lack of C/C++ skills. From what I understand with that one is it's up to me to determine what data I want to use and code accordingly??

Anyway, 'soon' sounds good.

Thanks guys.

George
Developer

Michael Smith October 31, 2010 at 12:14pm

@George - I did some basic work on a new firmware for the old ArduStation that would let it handle messages from APM, but I shelved the project a while back. The latest version is in the ArduStation project repository; look for "ArduStationM".

If you're not a programmer, it won't be much use, but if you know a little C/C++ the project could really use a developer with cycles.
3D Robotics

Chris Anderson October 31, 2010 at 11:48am

Daniel: Yes. I've updated the manual to make it clearer how. The instructions and code are here.
Daniel Gru October 31, 2010 at 9:45am

Is it possible to somehow get mediatek gps to the newest firmware without having to use a ftdi cable?
I only have usb, and the ardumega+Oilpan...

Daniel
3D Robotics

Chris Anderson October 31, 2010 at 8:09am

George: a few answers:

1) The existing ArduPilot GCS is supported (choose the Legacy GCS option)
2) The new LabVIEW APM GCS is probably still a few weeks away. Some community members are also developing their own, so you'll probably be spoiled for choice soon.
3) We have a version of the hardware ArduStation code that supports APM, but we need to test it more before releasing
Tom in NOVA October 31, 2010 at 7:55am

Chris: thank you very much for the prompt replies and the clarification for me.

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