how cheap and simple can a uav be? chris anderson, wired magazine/diy drones
TRANSCRIPT
Open Source UAVsHow cheap and simple can a UAV be?
Chris Anderson, Wired Magazine/DIY Drones
Cost
Platforms
UAV̂
$100,000,000s
$1,000,000s
$100,000s
$10,000,000s
$100s$10,000s
Why not?
Gears!
Programmed by a 10-year-old
Two-axis realtime video system (also Lego)
Add GPS via Bluetooth ($39)
Now it’s also a 5DOF ARM7 IMU
A fully functional LEGO UAV
BASIC Stamp educational autopilot
Embedded processor/RC multiplexing GPS waypoint navigation Hardware in the loop simulations (with Flight
Simulator)
Cellphone Autopilot
Broadband wireless communications,unlimited range
5 Megapixel still or videoimagery, all GPS and orientation-tagged
Dynamic waypoints and in-flight commands via text message
Fully programmable Can interface with any hardware via
serial/BT
Autonomous Blimps
Ultrasonic altitude hold
IR beacons/waypoint following
Magnetometer Bluetooth wireless Vectoring thrusters
Starting under $100
ArduPilot—an Ardunio-based open source autopilot
+
ArduPilot
Independent hardware multiplexer/failsafe
7 user-programmable digital lines, 6 analog sensor inputs
2 serial portsEasy-to-use programming IDE
Total cost: $90 (or make it yourself for less)
Navigation autopilot + IR stabilization
Fully programmable
What’s open source hardware?
Schematics PCB designs Firmware Software Parts lists and instructions
We give blanket permission for anyone to use, modify, or distribute
everything we do. No charge, no restrictions.
Real export license for a commercial autopilot that’s less capable (no IMU) than our LEGO autopilot:
“No engineering design, manufacturing information or detailed repair/maintenance procedures may be released.”
“When not in use, the autopilot must be stored in
a locked, secure facility. There must be access provided to designated US government personnel. The secure facility must be monitored by CCTV and an electronic burglar alarm.”
“A daily inventory log of the autopilot’s location must be maintained.”
Future engineer/criminal
Other open source autopilots
•Paparazzi•UAVDevBoard•OpenPilot•GluonPilot•Booz•Quadpowered•Dozens more in the works….
