Octopilot is open source autopilot hardware and software for radio controlled planes. It is based on the Parallax Propeller microcontroller, and uses a 5-degrees-of-freedom IMU plus a GPS and proximity sensor to stabilize and navigate your plane.It can be enabled/disabled through an extra channel/switch on your transmitter, and when switched on, stabilizes the plane and navigates it back to the starting location, where it will circle. It can also optionally trigger external actions, like taking a photo or dropping an item, when it reaches a waypoint.Coming soon: multiple waypoints, stabilization of inverted flight, on-board TV-out, and more.If you're interested in helping out, there's lots to be done! Swing on over to the project page and join the octopilot group.http://code.google.com/p/octopilot/
Octopilot is open source autopilot hardware and software for radio controlled planes. It is based on the Parallax Propeller microcontroller, and uses a 5-degrees-of-freedom IMU plus a GPS and proximity sensor to stabilize and navigate your plane.It can be enabled/disabled through an extra channel/switch on your transmitter, and when switched on, stabilizes the plane and navigates it back to the starting location, where it will circle. It can also optionally trigger external actions, like taking a photo or dropping an item, when it reaches a waypoint.Coming soon: multiple waypoints, stabilization of inverted flight, on-board TV-out, and more.If you're interested in helping out, there's lots to be done! Swing on over to the project page and join the octopilot group.http://code.google.com/p/octopilot/
Comments
It certainly seems to be plenty fast. I haven't actually done timing tests to measure the difference in speed between the standard Float32, and the Dynamic one, but I couldn't tell the difference. :)
Ben
For now I want to avoid adding extra components if I can help it, but this is great to know abut for when I eventually need it.
Thanks,
Ben
Ben
I'm using a Multiplex Mini Mag, which is made by the same company that makes the Easystar. I fly an Easystar too, but I'm using the Mini Mag with octopilot because it has ailerons, and I want that extra level of control.
I haven't built an FPV setup yet, so I can't comment on how big a plane you'll need for that. But I hear that the cameras and video transmitters can be pretty tiny. But if your payload gets too heavy, then I'd suggest a larger plane instead of an overloaded, overpowered Easystar, which might not fly very well...
Ben
I was thinkig about the Easystar, which, for a newbe like me seems the easiest solution to get started.
My main concern is that if I start adding FPV and Autopilot (that would be the main goal) the payload would become too big.
Would that be addressed by bigger motor or do you suggest starting with a larger plane (like a glider for example)
The aim would be to do something like this guy
Thanks
Stefano
I was imagining setting it up as a video overlay for first person pov. I haven't tried fppov yet, but it sounds ridiculously cool. :) I was actually planning to show similar data to what PNav shows. I have the tv object set up and my dummy update function gets run along with everything else with every servo pulse (about every 30ms), but I haven't designed the layout yet, so nothing interesting gets displayed.
I was thinking of trying to keep all the data at the edges, leaving the middle open for unobstructed video. I was also thinking of making it easy for people to add their own layouts to the code base, and let people choose which layout to use. If someone wants to use the whole screen for telemetry data, I want that to be easy too.
Any suggestions?
Oops, I realize now that you might have meant how much will the whole octopilot setup cost?
I have no plans to sell them. I'm just publishing all the info you need to build one for yourself. All the parts for a full octopilot setup, assuming you already have a working RC plane to install it into, will be about $315. If you use only navigation, or only stabilization, it'll cost less. (And you can add the rest later!)
More pricing info on my Parts List page here.
http://code.google.com/p/octopilot/wiki/PartsList
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