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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

  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson May 24, 2009 at 6:16pm
    I think I'm going to delete this post. Nobody seems to be reading the part at the top where I say that we're NOT making this board, so all the questions about ETA and pricing are moot.
  • Robert Drone May 24, 2009 at 1:58pm
    Pricing?
  • Sarel P. Wagner May 12, 2009 at 9:48am
    Chris, is this going to stay with the Atmega128 or will it change as well?

    Regards
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson May 11, 2009 at 11:39am
    Rasit: not sure I understand the question. You are aware that we have released regular ArduPilot (atmega328-based) that has the redundancy and failsafe? Check out the site a bit more and tell me if you still have questions.
  • Rasit Eskicioglu May 11, 2009 at 11:27am
    Chris, anything new here yet? I'm eager to have my hand on one of these units. I like the redundancy and fail safe nature. BTW, are you using 168 or 386?

    --Rasit
  • RaWe April 26, 2009 at 4:47pm
    Will be keeping track on this..
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson April 22, 2009 at 4:57pm
    Ivan, you're right. I should go through all these comments and weed them out.
  • Jake W April 22, 2009 at 4:55pm
    i want to turn my cx2 into a uav what do i need to start?
  • Ivan Popovic February 11, 2009 at 9:54pm
    Hey chris it's funny how many people keep asking on eta. I was originally going to post something, not eta, anyways is there a way to have all comments listed? Almost mised the 1-4 pages of comments on the bottom which is more than likely for all the guys that keep asking and ya have to keep repeating. Just an idea.

    Ivan.
  • Jay January 24, 2009 at 8:42am
    whats the difference between the ardupilot pro and the uav dev board?which would you recommedn i purchase.I'd like to build a Uav for my master project
This reply was deleted.