RC Helicopter Autopilot

This is a video of the helicopter autopilot I made for my Master's Thesis at Wright State University. The entire flight is performed without any intervention from a human pilot. The system is programmed to take off, ascend to 10 meters altitude, fly a square, then come back and land.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Helicopter
• Autopilot
• TRex
• 600
• UAV

[WSUMarkA]

The system should work on a TRex 500, but may need some tuning. I'm not sure about the flybarless setup, I think the autopilot could probably keep up and stabilize it but I'm not sure. The entire system is really just a prototype, so I wouldn't be comfortable building and selling them at this point. The thesis is online, search OhioLink, it seems I can't post links? It explains everything in detail.

Mark

[austinpowers1977]

wow so impressed. Did u get the items need to do this off the shelf or did u have to program it.

[WSUMarkA]

I bought the sensors (GPS, IMU, etc) off the shelf and programmed a generic microcontroller to control it. It's actually a Microchip PIC32.

[WSUMarkA]

Hi, thanks for your comment. The autopilot uses an IMU, GPS, compass, and an altimeter. It uses a 13 state EKF for state estimation and PID/LQR controllers.

I think they already make crude autopilots for "panic switches." One I can think of is called a HeliCommand.

[AsifDatoo]

Hi Mark,

I came across your RC Helicopter video. I also read your Thesis. Very well written and presented! I created a youtube account so I can send you a message!

In your Thesis I couldn't find the circuit diagram or the full code. May I ask if you can direct me to these two things?

Thanks,

Asif

[Ec130Rhine]

well i have a trex500esp 3g flybarless will this work with it? does the autopilot have gps system on it too and also how much will it to be to have u make one for my trex500esp 3g?

[scottytheace]

Hi Mark, I was wondering if I could see your masters thesis. I am studying Mechatronics Engineering at Massy University, New Zealand and I have been fascinated with the 'guts' of autonomous robotics; more so when it comes to aerial systems. If I cant have access to your thesis could you direct me to other papers? Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Scott

[scottytheace]

Hi Mark, I was wondering if I could see your masters thesis. I am studying Mechatronics Engineering at Massy University, New Zealand and I have been fascinated with the 'guts' of autonomous robotics; more so when it comes to aerial systems. If I cant have access to your thesis could you direct me to other papers? Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Scott

[lucasvago2]

Hello. Nice work. Is possible for us to see your master thesis?? There's some website where we can download your papers to read about your work? Thanks

[mdtott]

If you are interested in marketing this system for sale let me know......Judging from the video you have been able to achieve what many have attempted to do. If the parts / labor is kept to a minimum and back it up with great customer support this could be huge......Right now DJI XP3.1 autopilot system is sweeping the RC heli market with many thousand units already sold with additional features being added all the time as upgrades.....Drop me an email if you are interested.. MAHALO, JASON