About
OpenPilot is an Open Source project aimed at providing the community low cost but powerful stabilization and autopilot platforms. OpenPilot’s strength is the community that has developed where individuals contribute their time, effort and skills so that all can benefit. As a non-profit open source program OpenPilot aims to bring this technology down in price to make it more affordable to deploy.
Target applications of OpenPilot developments include civil and humanitarian uses where search and rescue capabilities afforded by guided aerial platforms can be of immense value, academic uses for research, stabilized platforms for aerial photography as well as DIY hobbyists looking to do a little flying and have some fun. The Open Pilot platform includes support for multicopters, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. However, the Open Pilot platform is flexible and can be adapted to diverse needs such as unique aircraft, marine and ground vehicles. Being an Open Source project the code is freely available for modification to unique needs.
OpenPilot has two current hardware platforms in progress: Open Pilot Pro and CopterControl. OpenPilot Pro is a full fledged powerful autopilot platform with a full IMS unit on board, while the Copter Control is a small, low cost but powerful stabilization board with 3 axis gyros and accelerometers. The CopterControl board can be augmented by different sensors and communication systems. Both units utilize the OpenPilot Ground Control Station software where options and setup are done as well as providing Ground Control functions such as way-point setting and telemetry functions. The OpenPilot project range provides solutions for a wide variety of user needs.
OpenPilot is an ideal platform for researchers and hobbyists working on aerial robotics or other mobile vehicular platforms where stabilization and guidance are required. OpenPlot brings the cost down to reasonable prices so people can focus on developing and refining applications rather than paying extremely high prices of most commercial offering or having to do from the ground up hardware development.
As an Open Source project it needs your help and support. OpenPilot is a community project. It is by the community and for the community. There is a chance for everyone to get involved no matter what your skill set. Lending a hand can be done in a wide variety of ways. Answering questions on the forums, contributing to the Wiki to document the knowledge base of the community on OpenPilot, programming or managing different modules of the software code, artistic contributions where graphics are needed are some of the ways where individuals can contribute. If you like what OpenPilot is doing – jump in and see how you can contribute. Above all have some fun and camaraderie doing it
