Build a Low-Cost Drone Using ESP32

Post by the__alchemist » Tue, Dec 24, 2024, 7:58 PM UTC

aftbit wrote: post #108

the__alchemist wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is consistent with my experience. My highlights: - Current betaflight devevelopers and leaders are incompetent (They inherited the code base from others), and are slow, and varying degrees of willing, to add higher-level flight-control mechanics (semi-autonomous modes etc). - The Ardupilot and PX4 configuration systems, and general experience, are user-hostile. Note that the converses of these hold: Betaflight h…

I haven't touched this stuff in 5+ years, but I wonder how iNav stacks up on your list? I was about 50% of the way through a 7" FPV build with a GPS receiver based on iNav when COVID hit, and between the supply shortages and general life shift, I stopped working on it.

Post by jeremyjh » Tue, Dec 24, 2024, 8:25 PM UTC

mrtksn wrote: post #99

Max-q wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you really need the phone? The dual core 240MHz ESP32 seems to be able to do the job at lower weight and power consumption. Maybe the old phone is better used as a controller?

I got an ESP32 WROOM 32U board that I intent to use it as the flight controller which will keep the drone within its flight envelope and do the maneuvering upon receiving commands from the phone. I find the phone appealing because I want try to make it somewhat autonomous, like im RTS games where you give a unit a command to go somewhere and it figures the path out by itself and avoids obstacles without direct input.…

Post by mrtksn » Tue, Dec 24, 2024, 8:59 PM UTC

jeremyjh wrote: post #113

mrtksn wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I got an ESP32 WROOM 32U board that I intent to use it as the flight controller which will keep the drone within its flight envelope and do the maneuvering upon receiving commands from the phone. I find the phone appealing because I want try to make it somewhat autonomous, like im RTS games where you give a unit a command to go somewhere and it figures the path out by itself and avoids obstacles without direct input.…

Still I think I'd just have the phone run an app that talks to a microcontroller by Wifi, even if it is strapped to the drone all the time.

Post by m00x » Tue, Dec 24, 2024, 9:16 PM UTC

curiousgeorgio wrote: post #36

Is this just someone reposting espressif's esp-drone ( https://github.com/espressif/esp-drone ) and passing it off as their own (and DigiKey posting it on their site)? They talk about making a custom PCB, but it looks pretty much the same. The repository linked from the article ( https://github.com/Circuit-Digest/ESP-Drone ) has some issues claiming there's malware in it, and the commit history looks a little suspici…

Post by the__alchemist » Tue, Dec 24, 2024, 9:29 PM UTC

dheera wrote: post #103

the__alchemist wrote: post #79

Note to anyone unafamiliar: There is a thriving "FPV" ecosystem of drones that can be DIYed. Example common setup, you can mix+match: - Small square PCB with the main flight control MCU (STM32), and some sensors - Smalls square PCB with motor drivers - Carbon fiber frame - Small PCB with a LoRa radio - Camera and video transmission system. (90s-security-cam style analog, or digital. - Brushless DC motors, props etc U…

Also > All-in-one PCB: Doesn’t need any 3D printed parts or such I actually am fine 3D printing and laser cutting stuff at home but I don't have the stuff to make a PCB and don't have the hand skills to do anything more than through-hole soldering.