Blogs

3DR has just released an update to the Solo app on iOS and Android that adds a new GoPro Burst camera mode as well as improved FollowMe functionality (see below). This continues a monthly feature/performance update schedule that is adding a ton of new funtionality. Next month's software update will dramatically improve GPS performance and reduce lock time, along with adding the much requested "boat mode" (launch from a moving boat). 

And don't forget that the special 20% off discount for DIY Drones members only runs another two weeks. Enter "DIYD20OFF" at checkout to get a Solo + Gimbal for just $799. (That code also works on everything else in the 3DR store except for GoPro cameras and SiteScan)

Finally, if you're a developer you'll love the new DroneKit Python 2.0, which works with Solo or any other APM-based copter. Previously, Solo was running Dronekit 1.0, but it's now native 2.0 so can run any Dronekit Python apps right out of the box. And it's now officially part of the open source Dronecode software stack!

From the announcement:

Join us in welcoming yet another new weekly Solo® app release into the world!

This update unlocks “burst mode” on your GoPro® HERO® 4 and HERO 3+ Black cameras — the mode is accessible from the Solo app while you’re flying — and it also enhances the range and clarity of your FPV.

There’s also a new developer update! DroneKit Python 2.0 now makes it easier to develop for Solo. You don’t have to be a hard-core drone developer to tinker with Solo software; hobbyists and other interested people can get involved, even create third-party consumer software in the future. Learn more about DroneKit Python at the bottom of this post.

This new release is available now for download on both iOS and Android. Note that the app update does not require a Solo update. (***We also highly recommend turning on “auto-update” so your Solo app will pull these new releases automatically.***)

ABOUT BURST MODE

A still photo feature for GoPro. In “Burst Mode,” your GoPro HERO 4 can shoot up to 30 stills in one second (default). You can change both the number of photos (30, 10, 5, 3) and the length of time it takes to shoot them. For instance, shoot 30 photos in the span of one second, two seconds, three seconds or six seconds (5-photo and 3-photo bursts only available for a one-second lapse).

Burst is great for shooting action and fast-moving subjects. First, the number of shots and the fast shutter speed mean you can choose the best shot(s) from an array, where with a fast-moving subject it would be very difficult to capture a single perfect photo manually. Additionally you can use the whole series to illustrate a motion sequence.

Burst is particularly interesting for Solo. It’s not just your subject that moves — Solo moves as well. With burst, you can not only capture a subject’s motion sequence, but you can move Solo as you’re shooting a burst of photos, for some very cool dual perspective shifts and even parallax in a sequence of stills.

Challenge: Use burst while panning or yawing Solo to add an extra dynamic to the narrative of your subject’s motion.

Access burst mode in the GoPro settings menu of the Solo app.

Burst specs:

• 30 photos/1 second (Default), 30 photos/2 seconds, 30 photos/3 seconds, 30 photos/6 seconds1
• 10 photos/1 second, 10 photos/2 seconds, 10 photos/3 seconds
• 5 photos/1 second
• 3 photos/1 second

ABOUT DRONEKIT PYTHON 2.0

DroneKit-Python is an SDK for developers to create Python apps that communicate with vehicles over MAVLink. It provides developers with programming access to a vehicle’s telemetry, access to status information, along with enabling both mission management and direct control over vehicle movement and operations.

The SDK is designed for use in onboard companion computers, supporting advanced use cases like high-level path planning, computer vision, 3D modelling and more. You can also use this SDK to control drones from desktop computers and ground station apps, communicating easily over a higher-latency RF link.

Version 2 is essentially a ground-up rewrite, taking into consideration the major pain points from our library while developing for Solo: performance, ease of use, ease of development, extensibility and testing. DroneKit-Python 2.0 is designed to make the on-vehicle development process easier, more efficient and more robust all around. It now supports development on all copters.

Features:

• Quick to get started: shortest example is just 3 lines of code
• Embeddable as a Python library into any application
• Multi-vehicle support in a single application
• Create vehicle subclasses and add support for new MAVLink messages
• Simplified state synchronization calls
• Clean and comprehensive documentation and guides
• Easy to debug and test with Software in the Loop
• Extensive cross-platform tests (Windows, OS X, 
• 
  Forums: http://discuss.dronekit.io/
• IM: https://gitter.im/dronekit/dronekit-python
• and Linux)

Resources:

• Documentation: http://python.dronekit.io/

• Guides: http://python.dronekit.io/guide/index.html

• API Reference: http://python.dronekit.io/automodule.html

• Examples: https://github.com/dronekit/dronekit-python/tree/master/examples