Pixhawk is a great autopilot, we love its robustness and rich sets of features. Nowadays it is a de-facto to low cost autonomous vehicle application.
There’re always some changes you want to make in an open source design, this rule also applies to Pixhawk. First, I want to make it smaller, to fit it into a f5B glider fuselage, with built-in dampers and a plastic shell could survive a hard crash. Then I want to make the sensors to be replaceable, so I can test new MEMs gyros. And lastly, I want to make the IO completely customizable to my specific application, eliminating 3-pin RC connectors, better fixture to a larger avionic payload motherboard, or an array of Pixhawks without messy wiring.
So in the last winter, we had it done, named it P9X
Some quick facts about P9X: (might subject to change due to its beta phase)
- 80mm x 50mm x 17.2mm box made of 1.5mm thickness mold injected PC/ABS
- 43mm x 50mm core PCBA size
- Tested with Ardupilot
- Tested with QGC 2.7 version PX4 firmware
- PX4 master built not yet running (maybe a firmware issue)
- Total weight: 45g
- Connectors fully compatible with Pixhawk
- Integrated silicon rubber damper (need help in axle alignment test)
- 4 copper nuts embedded for M3 screw mounting (dimension: 38mm x 25mm)
- IMU sensors swappable (need soldering)
We need your Help!
The first 50pcs batch is out, we have invested in inject mold, silicon rubber mold, silk screen printing. We want more testers and a crowd funding campaign, before that, we want to make sure this hardware revision has no serious design issues. If you are experienced user, developer, embedded engineer, please consider purchase one of these beta samples and send us feedback.
How to get one.
Back in the last year, Raspilot project generated no income, Emlid and Erle Robotic has inspired by its design then they have made their similar design products. I don’t want to bankrupt in my hobby, and make it serious to be a self-employed job. So no more free samples.
I want to sell these 50 pcs unit for 150USD each, with Aramex shipping from Shanghai, China. Please give me feedback about the price.
Thanks.
Comments
@rob, I believe the 4 red posts are silicon rubber. so the board is dampened inside the case.
Interesting design. I don't understand how the vibration isolation is working though?
@Chris Not during competition, i don't know if its worth to carry extra weigh on board or even fwb/auto by some energy algorithm. i am not sufficient athlete in this game, but i do learn aerodynamics from building and crashing it.
Data logging in competition? Would allow for some interesting analysis. Bring on the base A and B waypoints ;)
@Gary no problem. i am considering a revision in three month, testing new JST GH plugs, testing for px4 firmware, and free hardware renew plan for early buyers.
Sorry, I was joking Jerry. Looks good I like my gliders as well.
@Gary 120USD? :)
@Randy Thanks.
@Chris For datalogging
The F5B bit is intriguing, what are you up to? Haha, I love my speedfire.
FC looks great!
Very pretty case.
Nice to see the derivatives of the Pixhawk continue to appear. Slightly off topic and completely obvious to most of us in this community but I'll say it anyway, the open source release of the Pixhawk hardware has really had a big impact. Imagine if it had been closed how different things would be?
Well lower is always better ;-) (you asked)
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