Simple UAV autopilot

[alphacenturi]

Does anyone know of an autopilot/UAV device that can be used and installed by someone (ie: me) who doesn't know an awful lot about such electronics? I cannot write code and programming if my life depended on it.

[dmgoedde]

Does anyone know of an autopilot/UAV device that can be used and installed by someone (ie: me) who doesn't know an awful lot about such electronics? I cannot write code and programming if my life depended on it.People that know me on here will think I'm on crack right now, but you should look at the U-Nav PicoPilot autopilots. You can get setup for a few hundred $$, it is commercially available right now, and lots of people on this forum have lots of experience with it to get you flying fast. You can go for simple Nav-only version, and add altitude and airspeed control units later. You don't need to know anyting about programming code, it is a system for the end-user, not for people that want to dig into code. I have never used one, but as an autopilot developer, have a good feel for it and know lots of guys that have used it. It does best in stable motor gliders, definately not intended for unstable planes. It should fit your needs if you mate it to the correct airframe type.

Send a PM to Icebear for practical experience and suggestions.

I could mention my own autopilot, but would be a jerk for doing so because it is not out on the market yet.

[ios]

:eek:

Hi alphacenturi,

May I suggest you take your time and review both Picopilot and Attopilot for suitability to your application. Despite Dean's advice above, I believe that Attopilot is at least a generation ahead of Picopilot in both ease of use and capability, and despite not being in production yet, it's not far off and well worth the wait. I don't know what your application is, but Attopilot has been developed for the most challenging of airframes, even when untrimmed and out of balance, whereas Picopilot is advertised as for stable airframe setups only. Attopilot also has inherent data link capabilities and is designed from the ground up to be capable of facilitating aerial photography applications. Attopilot's capabilities are comparable to commercial grade autopilots for a fraction of the price and is user friendly, and if Dean's openness and level of contribution on this forum are anything to go by, support of his products will be excellent and worth the wait.

I've got nothing against the picopilot, and if it suits your application you should go for it, but if I was you I would do the research around this forum and on the web, and certainly PM Icebear who is one of the most advanced UAV enthusiest on RCGs, and map out your requirements, and determine what would be the best value for money, and if you'd be able to wait a little longer. Alot of people on this forum have already decided, and this has caused alot of friction between Picopilot and Attopilot ,.. hence Dean is trying to give you unbiased advice,... but for the record,... I would suggest you wait for Attopilot.

[alphacenturi]

Yeah, I had a look at the PicoPilot, but there are a ridiculous number of restrictions on US UAVs. Your ATTOPilot looks great, and you seem to be copping a lot of rubbish from others from inventing such a cool (and complex) device. Do you have any inkling as to when you might start selling them, and will they have the same trade restrictions?

[alphacenturi]

Actually, what is the Paparazzi UAV? Is it suitable for entry level UAVs without requiring complex electronics knowledge?

[Mick Molloy]

Actually, what is the Paparazzi UAV? Is it suitable for entry level UAVs without requiring complex electronics knowledge?

http://www.diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/705844:BlogPost:45741

Check out this post on DIYDRONEs re skills needed for Paparazzi..

[dmgoedde]

Actually, what is the Paparazzi UAV? Is it suitable for entry level UAVs without requiring complex electronics knowledge?For that PM AntonK or bmw33i, or maybe nuggets. I think you need some idea of electronics for that system... at least not a complete newbie. The Paparazzi will fly any plane you throw at it I beleieve.

It just sounded like from your initial post you wanted something you could buy right now, and require no knowledge of programming or electronics. The Pico has been on the market a few years, and as just a human trying to help you in your question, I can tell you Pico would fulfill your quest if you pick a stable motor glider. The PicoPilot is not merely a simple GPS autopilot. It has a basic IMU that stabilizes the yaw axis via rudder and that can be Y connected to reduced throw ailerons, and provides wing levelling with 3Hz update.

U-Nav will help you with export paperwork questions, and I believe they do it for a small fee. They are expert on this. Just contact them.

I can't quote a date for AttoPilot release. There was a small setback on the pick and place machine that is now corrected, plus I am reviewing some issues in the V1.7 design that might need to be corrected before I submit panels for high volume run. One thing to consider is my only unit coming out soon is the V1.7, which is going to be $800. There is a much smaller 3-axis system coming out for $500 after V1.7 is selling but earliest for that would be February/March time. You could buy a Pico-N unit for I think $400, brand new. I am a firm believer that Atto is increasing the value/$ by 10x in the sub $1k market, but it just isn't ready to sell yet.

[alphacenturi]

Is an export licence required for export to Australia, given the trade links between the two countries? What are the requirements to obtain a licence?

[ios]

Is an export licence required for export to Australia, given the trade links between the two countries? What are the requirements to obtain a licence?

I suspect the answer will ultimatly be yes for any autopilot developed in the U.S.

Where are you located ?

[alphacenturi]

I suspect the answer will ultimatly be yes for any autopilot developed in the U.S.

Where are you located ?

New South Wales, Australia. Is it possible to buy it off an individual in the US, or does that also need a licence? I wouln't think selling a one-off device would constitute 'export'

[alphacenturi]

http://www.diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/705844:BlogPost:45741

Check out this post on DIYDRONEs re skills needed for Paparazzi..

I assume you're Australian too. Are there any Aussie-available ready to fly uav devices?

[ios]

I assume you're Australian too. Are there any Aussie-available ready to fly uav devices?

Zik from Melbourne has been developing the Flying Fox, but not quite ready to fly yet; http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=734791 and beep684 from Brisbane is one of the most knowledgable in the Paparazzi.

There are also a couple of guys around working on nice airframes, including a scale ScanEagle and Twin Boom pusher style UAV.

What kind of airplane are you trying to develop and fly autonomously? How long have you been flying?

There are a number of cheap systems you could play with from europe, but are not really plug and play (i.e. RCAP3+WPS & ALTHOLD+ZLOG & FMA CPD4 or RVOSD + FMA CPD4). U.S. export control however shouldn't scare you away, its just a matter of jumping the hurdles and time.

[Mick Molloy]

Plenty of people in Oz with Kestrel autopilot ($$$ not a cheap option by any means) and they have all had to deal with export and ITARS.. it just hoops not road blocks.

[ios]

Plenty of people in Oz with Kestrel autopilot ($$$ not a cheap option by any means) and they have all had to deal with export and ITARS.. it just hoops not road blocks.

Hay Mick :) The Ketrel is an interesting one. Would you consider this one suitable for hobbiests ? At current exchange rates its perhaps over AUS$10000-15000 for the autopilot and ground station, including tax and duties after import.

I agree though, its hoops not roadblocks

[Mick Molloy]

Hay Mick :) The Ketrel is an interesting one. Would you consider this one suitable for hobbiests ? At current exchange rates its perhaps over AUS$10000-15000 for the autopilot and ground station, including tax and duties after import.

I agree though, its hoops not roadblocks

Yeah this was just to point out that ITARS / Export issues are not THAT hard to deal with and not offering Kestrel as a hobbyist option...

I am having enough trouble dealing with the near doubling in price of either the Atto or Paparazzi, I waiting for the Aussie peso to go back above 70-75 before shelling out my $$$

Off Topic

Since a few Aussies are in this group, do you think there would be much interest in a UAV Special Interest Group (SIG) for the MAAA, www.maaa.asn.au. At the moment they ban us from flying at MAAA flying sites and our insurance wont cover use either, but they are not specifically banned.
FIA does recognize Autonomous Flight as a class F8 http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=945020 and the MAAA is affiliated with FAI via ASAC http://www.asac.asn.au

MOP065 Policy UAV’s http://www.maaa.asn.au/maaa/mop/policy/MOP065%20-%20Policy%20UAVs%205%20August%202007.pdf

MOP057 Insurance Conditions http://www.maaa.asn.au/maaa/mop/policy/MOP057%20-%20Policy%20Insurance%20Conditions%20-%2016%20August%202.pdf

[ios]

I am having enough trouble dealing with the near doubling in price of either the Atto or Paparazzi, I waiting for the Aussie peso to go back above 70-75 before shelling out my $$$



Yeah, I know where your coming from. I've been dreaming UAVs for a while, and made a couple of BIG purchases when the dollar was 92c. (http://www.diydrones.com/profile/Ios) I'm so glad now. Yeah, its funny how the price of Atto has doubled for us even before its release, but thats how the cookie crumbles I guess.

An Australian UAV Special Interest Group would be great. Its a shame about the MAAA rules. I regularly fly autonomous from my club but keep quite about it because it is common knowledge that UAVs are not allowed. You got any suggestions as to how to go about setting up a SIG?

It would be great if the MAAA actually accepted/allowed UAVs if the pilot had their own UAV insurance (from QBE for instance, just like the thay did for the Outback Challenge).

[simonHBX]

A SIG group would be great for UAV hobbyists in Australia! :)

However, the cost of insurance would be incredible! I doup't insurance agencies would like autonomous aircraft :eek: The MAAA don't like em eather (then again they don't like 2.4Ghz, another new technology)

I'm still trying to find a decent auto pilot too, I'm thinking of trying the "Geocrawler 2" with the PDA and FMA copilot :rolleyes:, I'm going to be building a twin boom pusher plane made from polly pipe, corflute and plumbing parts hopefully ;)