We've wanted to be transparent with the community on our plans for ArduPilot Mega to get feedback, but I fear we've also introduced uncertainty and confusion. Here are some tips and pointers that may help you plan your ArduPilot path.
First, don't expect ArduPilot Mega until well into the new year. Second, it will be considerably more expensive than ArduPilot. Third, it won't necessarily work any better than the current ArduPilot for basic autopilot functions--it's just for people who want two-way telemetry and a more compact installation. Fourth, we'll continue to support the current ArduPilot. These are two different products, for two different customer classes.
We'll also be releasing a product that's for a lower end of the market, an even simpler, cheaper autopilot for inherently stable aircraft (this is a turn-rate limiter autopilot that will outperform the PicoPilot at less than 1/4 the cost). Also Q1.
So think of ArduPilot as a family of products: Entry, General and Pro.
ArduIMU is not part of the ArduPilot line. It's for people who want to integrate an IMU/AHRS into their own project.The IMU in ArduPilot Mega will be custom for that product.
Unless you're really trying to save money, I suggest most people start with the current ArduPilot. It's mature, stable and will be supported as long as we can see. ArduPilot Mega will someday get there, but unless you're willing to deal with our teething pains for the next year, you'll be a lot happier with the current product.
If I were to jump in now by purchasing a Arduino Mega and either the IR sensors or the ArduIMU and the associated to-be-built analog adapter, is it reasonable to run the ArduPilot code on the Arduino Mega, as if it were a standard ArduPilot?
Stated another way, can I build an ArduPilot with Arduino Mega hardware, and then morph into ArduPilot Mega later as that becomes available? At least from a technical standpoint?
I think <$300 is a good price target for the works, including GPS (but not including wireless telemetry and ground station hardware). But we'll see. As always, everything will be open source and all software will be free and open to all.
We'll probably sell the autopilot board itself through third parties, for regulatory reasons. (We don't sell autopilots; we give away autopilot technology for others to sell and sell stuff around them)
But for mountain peoples like me need to wait for the ArduMega or until the IMU Ardu to Ardupilot modification is working.
Because i dont think my thermopiles would work until i reach a hight of 1mile, hehe
So i am grounded until then?
Comments
Stated another way, can I build an ArduPilot with Arduino Mega hardware, and then morph into ArduPilot Mega later as that becomes available? At least from a technical standpoint?
We'll probably sell the autopilot board itself through third parties, for regulatory reasons. (We don't sell autopilots; we give away autopilot technology for others to sell and sell stuff around them)
But for mountain peoples like me need to wait for the ArduMega or until the IMU Ardu to Ardupilot modification is working.
Because i dont think my thermopiles would work until i reach a hight of 1mile, hehe
So i am grounded until then?
JC
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