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[Update] DroidPlanner v0.5.0 - Now with USB support

Posted by Arthur Benemann on April 1, 2013 at 2:37pm

Now DroidPlanner has USB support for the 3DR telemetry board. The new app (v0.5.0) will be on Google Play shortly.

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To use the app just install via Google Play, or the attached APK file (if Google Play has not updated yet). And connect the 3DRobotics telemetry module to your device. Open the app and click on Connect. You may receive a notification to enable access to the USB device from android, I this case just press OK.

Here are some pictures of what is needed:

BR-3DRUSB915-2T.jpg

  • USB OTG cable

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Users utilizing the TCP connection will need to access their settings and change the connection type to TCP, USB is the apps default now.

As always if you want to help consider donating for the project by buying this app, joining the development team, or reporting a issue/bug/improvement on GitHub.

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Comments

  • 100KM
    keeyen pang April 2, 2013 at 5:53pm

    Hi arthur

    May I know if this is a full working version? My main purpose is to use it for aerial mapping. So I'm more concern on if it will able to draw polygon and generate grid.

    Thanks

  • Developer
    Arthur Benemann April 2, 2013 at 12:18pm

    That's awesome, what range are you getting with your setup?

    It's wifly module with SMA connector on the drone, and Android tablet in Adhoc mode running droidplanner , I'm right?

    Have you tried using a Wifi router (with a good antenna) as the Wifi host?

  • Kirill April 2, 2013 at 11:19am

    Hi Arthur! Today I've implemented manual control via your GCS (using RC_CHANNELS_OVERRIDE message) and the result is simply perfect! I have no lag at all (at least I feel myself very comfortable controlling the quad). As you remember, I use WiFly module. Going to finish some things and post demo video soon. 

  • Developer
    Arthur Benemann April 2, 2013 at 11:03am

    For the video capturing  something like this should do it:

    http://www.hauppauge.com/site/webstore2/webstore_usblive2.asp?produ...

    webstore_usblive2.jpg

    And probably a cheap Chinese product would work also:

    http://dx.com/p/easycap-usb-video-capture-adapter-5707

  • Developer
    Arthur Benemann April 2, 2013 at 10:54am

    About the video encoding, maybe using a Raspberry Pi to do that job. Possibly the new MAVstation project...

  • Developer
    Arthur Benemann April 2, 2013 at 10:50am

    @Andrew:Is there any recommendation for a android tablet which has USB? I see lots of android tabs coming from the east very cheap now, is there a minimum OS version, memory, etc? 

    There is one must requirement that is Android 4.0 or up. You will need USB host also if you want to use a 3DR telemetry module directly, one way to be sure is to go to a real store and test the app on the device before buying (I have just tested on my tablet, and have not get feedback from users yet).

    For a good device I would suggest Nexus 7 (the app should work on this one, if not I'll make it work).  For development I'm using this re-branded Chinese tablet.

    @Andy: Nice to hear about the bluetooth version. I would like to help...

    I don't use bluetooh since my tablet doesn't have it. But if you want to implement it just mail, and I can give a help on the app structure.

    But using bluetooh isn't my best option IMO, you are probably better using a wifly module connected to a 3DR telemetry board  or just the wifly module in the drone (for short ranges).

    @c j g: but "I plan to add a video streaming screen" is even greater

    I just need to find a composite video-to-TCP/IP encoder and buy some FPV gear  to start developing this stuff. It shouldn't be all that hard (Android must have this already implemented, is just a question of using it).

    @c j g: i would reduce the donation app to 50% and i think you will get 150% more customers ... best c.

    I wanted to give the user the option to donate how much they wanted, but I haven't implemented it yet. I Changed the donation value to $5 as you suggested, this is mostly an incentive for me too work on this project (and to buy small modules like the WiFly board).

  • c j g April 2, 2013 at 9:57am


    Nice, to see a second android project in development (big thanks to arthur and kevin). Adding BT is great, but "I plan to add a video streaming screen" is even greater ... i would reduce the donation app to 50% and i think you will get 150% more customers ... best c.

  • Jared Reabow April 2, 2013 at 8:42am

    thanks man, this is going to be a very popular app now that you have this working, it was the main downfall of the app originally. 

  • Andy April 1, 2013 at 11:20pm

    nice work thx a lot! Nice to hear about the bluetooth version. I would like to help but right now I don't have any spare time left...

    Andy

  • Andrew Radford April 1, 2013 at 11:10pm

    Is there any recommendation for a android tablet which has USB? I see lots of android tabs coming from the east very cheap now, is there a minimum OS version, memory, etc? 

    I'd probably not use it for anything other than a GCS.

This reply was deleted.