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3D Robotics

ArduPilot Pro home page

Posted by Chris Anderson on June 23, 2008 at 4:30pm

[UPDATE Jan, 2009: The description below is our original conception of ArduPilot Pro. However, we were able to achieve all of these features with the basic ArduPilot, so we are now reconsidering what additional features to add to a future dual-core ArduPilot. Things we are considering include SD-card datalogging and on-screen displays for first-person view flying. In the meantime, the below is provided as a reference platform for a dual-core Arduino-compatible autopilot, but should not be viewed as a forthcoming product as described here.] ArduPilot Pro is a low-cost, full-function autopilot based on the open source Arduino platform. It incorporates two Atmega 168 processors (for navigation and stabilization) and one ATTiny45 processor (for the failsafe) onto one board, along with a GPS module. It has all the functionality of the basic ArduPilot, but includes its own thermopile sensors and processing so it does not require a third-party stabilization unit. The thermopile sensors are on two daughterboards, one with four sensors for X-Y axis stabilization, and the other with two sensors along the z axis for calibration and upright/inverted orientation. These are modeled after the open source Paparazzi sensors. ArduPilot Pro will eventually be available as a commercial kit. At the moment it is a development project with the aim of going into beta in mid-2009. Basics:
  • If you want to build your own, the necessary files and component lists are here.
  • Autopilot code (for the board's two main processors, Atmega168s) is in development and will be posted here.
  • Latest multiplexer code (for the board's third processor, an Attiny, which runs the failsafe system) is here. (If all you want is to load our code, rather than modify it, just use AVR Studio to burn the antifail_system.hex file in the Default folder to the Attiny chip)
The following is a chronological list of posts describing the development of the project. Unless you're very keen to get started on this before it's released as a commercial project, we do not recommend that you order these boards, since they're sure to have some bugs. But if you're interested in autopilot development and want to know more about ArduPilot features, they will give you some insight into the evolution of this project.
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Comments

  • Alberto Isaac November 1, 2008 at 1:09am
    Nice, so I'll just plug my servos and receiver to it right? Awesome for the price mate!
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson October 31, 2008 at 9:38am
    SgtRic: We have no problems with people selling products around our open source autopilots. They're licensed under Creative Commons, and only require attribution. If somebody wants to take all of our work and make their own boards and sell them, that's fine with us! (This is, as you know, standard in open source)
  • Moderator
    Sgt Ric October 31, 2008 at 8:52am
    Keith,
    You are producing a line of UAVs for sale, and now you intend to use an open-source system, namely the ArduPilot!

    Man, thats not cricket!
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson October 31, 2008 at 8:49am
    Probably around $100

    IR stabalization
  • Alberto Isaac October 30, 2008 at 11:58pm
    What is the "projected" cost of it?
    BTW, I can't find information about how IR stabilization works, do you have an useful link
  • Keith Ratliff September 28, 2008 at 4:29pm
    I wouldn't expect it to fly right out of the box. The design plus maneuvering limitations we will have on the craft make a solution we can tweak on a better bet. Ideally I would like to put limitations on the control to prevent a break up or a over speed issue.
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson September 28, 2008 at 1:22pm
    We're not going to have a public beta on this one before the commercial release. Instead, we'll sell the hardware through our commercial partner and treat the code as a continuous work in project: a perpetual beta, involving the contributions of everyone and anyone. Although the boards will ship with code already loaded, we expect everyone to upgrade it as we continue to develop it. Unlike commerical closed-source autopilots, this one is not warranted to fly a plane right out of the box. Instead, it's an easy-to-use development platform, designed to be tweaked for individual needs. (eventually, it will be totally plug and play, but we're not there yet)
  • Keith Ratliff September 28, 2008 at 1:11pm
    When this is in BETA you let me know ASAP. I want this to run my UAV project as I think it will be the ticket.
  • monty September 27, 2008 at 12:55am
    looks great as a better alternative to using the fma stuff, any estimation of price for the full production model?

    great idea!

    Monty
  • Moderator
    Sgt Ric September 24, 2008 at 10:29am
    The Ardupilot uses FMA, where the ArdupilotPro uses its own custom leveler.
This reply was deleted.