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….