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Update on ArduQuad progress

Posted by Chris Anderson on July 29, 2010 at 11:00am

ArduQuad, the quadcopter part of the ArduCopter family, is nearing production. The first prototypes are going to the dev team next week, and Jani Hirvinen, who is manufacturing them, says retail availability should be in about six weeks.

Awesome render by Sandro Benigno above (this is just an alpha; parts will be moving to other places in the production version). Photos by Jani below:

The package will most likely include:

ArduQuad platform hardware (airframe, motors, ESCs, props, power distribution board, cables, etc)
ArduPilot Mega + Oilpan IMU shield
MediaTek 10Hz GPS
Magnetometer

In other words, everything you need for a complete quad! Pricing not decided yet, but should be the cheapest full UAV quad in the world, by a long shot.

That's a shot of packaged motor mounts getting ready to go out. Check out Jani's photo stream for more shots of the prototypes.

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Comments

Wallace Edwards August 8, 2010 at 12:35am

Ditto
Norbert Machinek August 7, 2010 at 2:01pm

How long will we "unlucky ones" have to wait until Santa Jani knocks at our doors?
*sniff*
Developer

Jani Hirvinen August 5, 2010 at 12:49am

A box is looking it's name tag.. Are you one of those few lucky ones who will receive one of these boxes... :)

Waiting one part to arrive and then off we go...
Theodoric Hrodeber Roland Alia August 1, 2010 at 10:45pm

its beautiful.
Developer

Sandro Benigno July 31, 2010 at 5:15pm

The crash tests rocks a LOT. Very funny!
Tony H July 31, 2010 at 11:17am

I took mine for a successful test flight today using code r53 and my own frame. Unfortunately, the video is really low quality.
Developer

Jani Hirvinen July 31, 2010 at 8:30am

Here is one closeup picture of center frame from last weekend when I was assembling it and making cabling a bit nicer way, ESC cables are still disconnected on this picture.

GPS, Magneto, APM+OilPan, Xbee (under quad), Battery alarm(under quad) are on this picture and 4 Turnigy Plush 18Amp esc's. Way I assembled them allows me to fold it for easy transportation.
Developer

Jani Hirvinen July 31, 2010 at 8:25am

@Robert, just basic skills. Only thing that needs soldering is putting those pin headerds to APM + OilPan boards and then assembling Power Distribution board which mean that you solder +,- wires for ESC's and battery connection. There is also one 4 pin "octopussy" cable included that can be used to connect ESC's to APM. Sure you can connect all ESC directly to APM too.

There will be instruction pictures available after next week on our Wiki pages and also in my photo stream at http://diydrones.com/photo/album/listForOwner?screenName=2ptmf1gmar3aa

In future yes we do plan to have a DIY KIT that includes basic electronics (APM+OilPan, GPS, Magneto), Frame, ESC's, Motors and suitable propellers but it will take at least 1-1.5 months untill that packet is available.
Developer

Jani Hirvinen July 31, 2010 at 8:17am

@Dimos, no problem. It is even more hidden on fixedwings than in quad.

@Garry, yes i'm rather excited about it too and pushing hard to get those frames shipped in next 2-3 days so people can start to have fun with them as much as I have been having :)

Only thing what I have been able to break has been 2 polycarbonate screws and today 1 nylon screw while was testing some really hard maneuvers and one my prop flew of .. It landed after umm 3 full 360 flips to concrete floow upside down from 2 meters or so. So frame is strong and can take quite lot of punishment. Sure if you are unlucky and there is sharp stick or something else that punctures electronics. Well things happens sometimes.

Ok there are still many thing to do on software but even now it's rather good and all of us been amazed how fast this our group have been able to react and put everything together.
robert mcintosh July 31, 2010 at 8:10am

great videos! what level of soldering skill would you say a person needs to get one of these things built? I have soldered wire harnesses before but never anything really precise. also, are those the props that will come with the kit?