The picture above is the new video game controller from valve, you can read more about it here. Note that there are no thumb sticks just trackpads and a touchscreen. Are rc controllers lagging behind the times by using analog components (potentiometers) and bulky mechanical gimbals?
I realize that there is a good argument for sticks and switches you can operate just by feel if your flying fpv. But it would be nice to have a thin. light. high resolution digital rc controller with fewer moving parts.
Please comment with your thoughts on ditching gimbals.
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I'm also part of the flat earth society it might be a generational thing. With the AR Drone and tablet at first I could not stand the tablet controls but my boys took to it in an instant. I currently fly with Andropilot as a flight following device and use my TX for the actual flying. Its great having the knowledge that if one command and control link fails the other one via Droidplanner or Andropilot is there.
For a manufacturer less moving parts has to be a plus.
Not sure how this would feel to use... I think it would disconnect you from the aircraft - but I've never used anything like this so its hard to say of course.
@Arthur, that is a nice way to handle that.
Nice control, but physical devices have much better tactile feel. Until haptics can deliver the same feedback without looking, touch sensitive only controls will always be inferior.
In user testing, a click if a key is always preferred over touch only. I think at the moment with current tablet devices people are just making do, rather than loving it.
You can already control your drone with a slim touch device, just get your smartphone and download DroidPlanner.
I don't think we will ever replace the RC sticks for the function they currently do (manual control of a aircraft), but the touch sticks will be very useful for more higher level navigation.
And answering Ruwan question: I use haptic feedback on DroidPlanner to help the user know when their stick has crossed the center line.
Thomas yes I do mean joysticks. but most rc transmitters have a more specialized type of joystick in that the x axis unit is housed inside the y axis and could be refereed to as a gimbal. And it is one of the major factors in the size of transmitters.
This is really interesting, and would love to see how successful this product would be.
I'm not sure how it gives the feedback where the "stick" currently is. If we use this as a R/C controller, say we want to know the location of the throttle? Bringing the stick to bottom-right for arming..
really interesting, but the truth is that it does not convince me.
i would have to try it and see how it feels.
@Will,
When you say "gimbal" I think that you really mean the "joysticks" on R/C transmitter?
Regards,
TCIII ArduRover2 Developer
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