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3D Robotics

Status of DIY Drones development projects

Posted by Chris Anderson on April 1, 2010 at 10:30pm
Last week, I listed the main DIY Drones development projects and the team leaders. This week I'll give the current status of those projects, along with a few of the less high-profile ones:
Project Status
ArduPilot Mega hardware In production at Sparkfun. Should be out within the month
ArduPilot software 2.5.04 is stable and very good with thermopiles. 2.5.1 working well with ArduIMU. Doug Wiebel and Jason Short are working on integrating the two into a single 2.6 release
ArduPilot Mega software Should be a pretty easy port from ArduPilot 2.6, but waiting for final hardware
ArduPilot Mega IMU shield Finished. Going into production at DIY Drones HQ this month
Ground station software Automatik is working on improvements to current version, but major rewrite planned for Mega. Decision still coming on which programming language
ArduStation Mega Specs and schematic done. Waiting for PCB layout/fabbing
Turn-rate limiter autopilot This is the cheap, small, easy gyro based autopilot with built-in GPS. Designed for beginners. PCB done. Now debating whether to add full IMU
Documentation Always a work in progress, but the ArduPilot migration to the wiki is complete
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Comments

  • Roger A April 7, 2010 at 2:48am
    Thanks Chris, good to know that they can be modified.

    Really looking forward to the release of the ArduPilot Mega with IMU - will be buying some of the production ones as well once they are released.
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson April 6, 2010 at 6:47pm
    @Mark. ArduPilot Mega will be IMU only. The current ArduPilot, which is thermopiles or IMU, will continue to be an actively developed platform for a long time, so you'll continue to have a solid base.

    @Roger. We'll explain the few differences (and what to do about them) when the production board is released.
  • Developer
    Doug Weibel April 6, 2010 at 5:25pm
    @Mark - There is no plan for thermopile support with Mega. However the existing ArduPilot board will still be available.

    @Richard - do a search. There is a thread with all the components....
  • Roger A April 6, 2010 at 4:46pm
    You said that the ArduPilot Mega hardware is in production at Sparkfun. I had bought a beta version of the board - how different is the release version? Can the beta version board be used with the same Ardupilot Mega software when it is released?
  • Richard Warrender April 6, 2010 at 3:52am
    Awesome, what new features will there be in the Mega board?
  • mark April 3, 2010 at 10:13am
    Will the mega require IMU shield or will it also work with thermopiles?
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson April 2, 2010 at 12:10pm
    Under US regs, we can't sell autopilots without going through export control issues. So we sell autopilot accessories and give away all the IP, and partner with other people who sell core autopilot boards.
  • passunca April 2, 2010 at 11:56am
    Why are guys producing the ardupilot mega board at sparkfun and the imu shield at your HQ?
  • tycinis April 2, 2010 at 8:54am
    "" This is the cheap, small, easy gyro based autopilot with built-in GPS. Designed for beginners. PCB done. Now debating whether to add full IMU ""

    this could be a good idea for a very cheap autopilot.
This reply was deleted.