Ok, so here at last, is the autonomous payload delivery video.
Configured to use Camera trigger on RC10, and the DIGICAM actions in mission planning. Works perfectly well, but the DIGICAM command is not "rate determining"; ie the APM can perform other commands while DIGICAM is fired (eg LAND). This makes things interesting, as we found out - it was dropped the payload way before LAND had been completed, even when DIGICAM comes after LAND in the sequence.
No doubt there will be a million questions, but let me answer the obvious ones:
1. Why is the auto mission with only one bottle, when a moment earlier it was 4?
Well, for one, we got thirsty. And two - we discovered that the LAND command can run in parallel to others…so the drone dropped it from 5m. And we burst one. But it was very funny. So now, we use a waypoint to control the height, not LAND. It means the payload command cannot be executed until the altitude has been reached.
2. Why is it so short?
Because I wanted to create a video that couldn’t be faked, and was “youtube friendly”. I didn’t quite succeed, because you can’t see me *not* operating the sticks or Switches. Also, you would program in delays, to allow the drone to settle first, before dropping the load. Or even land. If you want a 20 minute-r with a massive complex mission, speak up, and I’ll see what I can do.
3. Why is the load range so wide?
Because ultimately, it depends on how well you pack the payload that determines how will it performed. Also, the unit here is just one magnet. The final 8kg unit will have four. Although that’s a theoretically 36kg of power, the laws of physics and flight make the in-the-air figure a fair bit lower. But I will be demonstrating the most my little X8 can lift in a future video - 8kg.
4. Why didn’t you use the tablet to do the auto mission stuff?
Because my tablet is rubbish and unreadable in this bright sunlight. But rest assured, In tower you can program exactly the same mission as this.
Comments
Are the SET_SERVO commands also not rate determining? Otherwise you could use those commands instead of DIGICAM.
Looking forward to the next video
Sunnysky x4112s, 400kv.
Hi All
What are the motors used ,
Cheers Randy and all!
Randy - yes, that's exactly the mission I had programmed, and it ran perfectly, apart from the DIGICAM command fired early. Not sure if it's the LAND or DIGICAM that's the issue - I think it's the LAND; it looks like the APM didn't wait for LAND to complete before firing DIGICAM.
Next time, I'll be doing a full 8kg drop, and a more complex mission, with the focus on precision delivery.
Very cool! If I had more time on my hands, I would be doing 'precision drops' with your system. :)
Great video. Package delivery is one of the main applications for multicopters but we don't see too many demo videos of it especially using the EPM.
I'll do a little test in the simulator to check the premature firing of the do-digicam-control message.
I think it should be possible to make the vehicle land, release the package and then take-off again and then return home although I've never tried it.