Live data from Hacker News

Raspberry Pi inspired autopilot

emlid.com

41–50 of 61 posts

Re: Raspberry Pi inspired autopilot

#41

This is very neat! Has there been any thought about using the 'Compute Model' RasPi? It's the RasPi in the DIMM form factor. Perhaps this would help lighten up the payload even more?

Thanks! We've been thinking of it, but rejected the idea. RPi A+ is quite light, so RPi+Navio weighs as the normal autopilot. Also, A+ is much cheaper.

Re: Raspberry Pi inspired autopilot

#42
post #34

How much hacking and/or electronics knowledge is required to set this up and get it running? #Edit. Another question, will the Reach (when it comes out) integrate easily with the boards coming out in Februaray, and be supported as part of Navio+?

Not much. Write an SD card image, install APM, connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet and you are ready to go. After that it requires calibration and setup in APM Planner like any other autopilot.

Reach will be a replacement of normal GPS for any autopilot. It will be compatible with Navio+.

Re: Raspberry Pi inspired autopilot

#43
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We run APM on Linux. The port to Raspberry Pi is our effort and it is now supported in APM upstream.

what is the % impact on endurance?

Raspberry Pi A+ with Navio+ consumes about 200mA. Compared to running motors this is almost nothing.

Re: Raspberry Pi inspired autopilot

#44
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly! We are working on this and will include a very easy to use LTE streaming configuration for HD FPV experience.

Is it actually possible to fly FPV with that much of a delay?

The delay is not that big, around 50-100ms depending on the setup, that is mostly okay.

Re: Raspberry Pi inspired autopilot

#45
post #28

When I read things like this, it always reminds me of the Kiwi chap that was trying to build a cruise missile in his garage [1]. Although this is smaller than what he had planned, I would imagine you could add a "release" functionality to the Pi Autopilot so it could drop something when at a certain position. [1] http://aardvark.co.nz/pjet/cruise.shtml

Bruce is very much into quadcopters and other hobby-rc stuff these days. Check out his YouTube channels if you want to see more of him, quite informative

https://www.youtube.com/user/RCModelReviews (educational)

https://www.youtube.com/user/xjet (fun stuff)

Re: Raspberry Pi inspired autopilot

#47
post #13

Just curious here. The CC3D boards were also open source, hackable, and only 1/3 the price, and guessing, but looks about 1/5th the size. What makes using better than all those downfalls?

This is completely different. Autopilot runs under Linux and that gives incredible flexibility. You can send HD video over LTE, run scripts in flight. SSH to drone in the air, how cool is that?

Yes, SSH-ing to my drone and running scripts while doing low passes and tight turns is just what I need. Sarcasm aside, this looks really cool from a hacker perspective but I'm straining to find a practical use case. Both CC3D and Naze32 platforms are open (hardware and software), smaller in size, cost 5 times less -- but are, I guess, nowhere near as flexible as this thing.

Re: Raspberry Pi inspired autopilot

#48
post #32
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is it actually possible to fly FPV with that much of a delay?

Why would there be large delay? Am I missing something that you'd care to fill us in on?

Most hobbyist multi-rotor flyers use an analog video feed over 1.2ghz or 5.8ghz radio, which has very minimal lag. Converting the video to a digital signal typically introduces 500-1000ms of delay, which is enough to make flying by the camera difficult or nearly impossible. Transmitting the signal over an IP switched network would likely introduce more lag in addition to the digital conversion.

Ultimately it will depend on which you value more-- response time or resolution.

Re: Raspberry Pi inspired autopilot

#50
post #28

When I read things like this, it always reminds me of the Kiwi chap that was trying to build a cruise missile in his garage [1]. Although this is smaller than what he had planned, I would imagine you could add a "release" functionality to the Pi Autopilot so it could drop something when at a certain position. [1] http://aardvark.co.nz/pjet/cruise.shtml

Ssh, this is going to happen sooner or later and result in quadcopters being banned forever. :(
Post reply on HN