T3 Back to the Future

Remember back, way back in autopilot years probably about 20. The year 2009 and the first round of our gentlemens (ladies are allowed just none have ever entered) competition the T3 challenge.

Back then just flying way points was hard and all this gear was expensive. Ardupilots were made at Sparkfun in batches that ran out quick.

Lets try it again I suspect this time the challenge would really be flying it faster than somebody FPV racing.

Read about the first time here for hints and tips.

As tech has moved on all aircraft types welcome lets make it not above 50m and 5 laps. All of course autonomous. Extra marks if that is from take off to landing.I will count the time from take off to landing so screaming dives to the start will not help. KMLs as evidence please!

UPDATE: Rovers (and boats) are also allowed! There will be a special rover/boat class, and you only have to beat other vehicles in that class. The course for such ground/water vehicles is 100m x 100m.

I will accept FPV times for the sake of science and should they be much much quicker it will give the pure FPV crowd something to brag about.

An Easystar (yes before HK copied it) made one lap in less than a minute in 2009 so 5 in 5 minutes should be more than possible.

As ever the time frame is flexible but why don't we all meet back here on August the 1st and find out who won!

Please add your entries and adventures below. Points are always awarded for silliness, just as long as its safe!

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Comments

dr0n3droid August 12, 2015 at 11:33am

Rover came to a dead stop. The gps and telem. went through, but one battery and front drivers side tire went wide of the goal.
Moderator

Gary Mortimer August 12, 2015 at 11:27am

@dr0n3droid when you hit that goal, did the machine go through the goal or the other side of the post. Obviously that would carry one more point.

Well done everybody, great entries and better still great spirit.
T3

healthyfatboy August 11, 2015 at 6:39pm

Yeah, my time is better but even if I were to get a time faster than a plane, you have to remember they have a 200m x 200m while the rovers and 100m x 100m.
dr0n3droid August 11, 2015 at 5:33pm

Wish I could help. I don't speak code. If you need someone to crash test, don't hesitate to ask. I've got tons of experience with that.
Mike
Developer

Grant Morphett August 11, 2015 at 5:15pm

@dr0n3droid - yes that is also a bug on my list. Plenty to do.

Thanks, Grant.
dr0n3droid August 11, 2015 at 5:00pm

@Grant
I guess you've also noticed that ch.7 doesn't clear the WPs when in manual? It seems to work sometimes.but not others. Haven't tried to narrow down when it works vs doesn't. It's been a bit of a nuisance issue for me.
Developer

Grant Morphett August 11, 2015 at 3:15pm

@healthyfatboy, your run's look great! Put a higher voltage battery in to go faster! Sure you Rover may catch fire but we need to beat the planes! With regard to your comment

"I also found that if I am in the middle of a mission and abort by going to MANUAL, it will stop. When I put it back in AUTO, it will resume the mission. However, if I load a new mission . . . . . "

its a known bug already on my list that I need to fix. I'll prioritise it.

Thanks, Grant
dr0n3droid August 10, 2015 at 6:00pm

I expect that Chris is planning the same with his go kart.
Rob_Lefebvre August 10, 2015 at 5:57pm

If I run again, you can expect my final entry to be a Snipe. ;)
dr0n3droid August 10, 2015 at 4:12pm

@TCIII
I'm only kidding about the extensions. I'll welcome any extra time we can get.

I was in such a rush to meet the deadline that I was making costly mistakes. This time I'll pace myself and rebuild carefully.

I just talked to Traxxas support about the always-on esc, they've agreed to replace it as well as the one that I smoked. For a small fee of course, but considering they're a few years old, it's a damn good deal.
Great customer service.

Frantically rebuilding,

Mike

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