Fly a real drone with Ubuntu

[oregonbob]

I thought I would mention the most fun I've had playing on Ubuntu. A company that makes a Quad helicopter that sells for around $300 uses Ubuntu for much development. They offer an open source API that includes a flight control program so you can fly the drone using Ubuntu and a joystick or game controller. I already compiled the example control and it works great on my Ubuntu, it is so cool and fun!

A YouTube video showing Ubuntu/joystick compile and flight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe6jbNdF35s

The API developer forum:
https://projects.ardrone.org/

[handy]

It would be good for chasing your dog with.

Looks like fun, thanks for the vid.

[Sockerdrickan]

I don't get how it's supposed to be a game. How do I win?

[cracker89]

I don't get how it's supposed to be a game. How do I win?

lol, victory is an illusion mate..

And nice video. Seems like its almost worth its prce..

[oregonbob]

There are a number of multiplayer games in development and that is one main reason they made it an open source project. If you search youtube for "ardrone" will can see some games in development. I have personally noticed drone development in general is moving at a very face pace. You might check out http://ardrone.parrot.com/parrot-ar-drone/usa/ar-games and here is a Wall Street Journal writeup about drones http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...273159086.html

Open source is a unique approach augmented reality gaming that makes development an exciting process. I have watched it enough to see it is moving at breakneck speed.

I bought one of the machines, flown it and it is worth the price now but I expect that price to drop like all new technology does. It is a blast to fly. The most popular way to fly is using an iPhone as the controller. That works great too but I already like the joystick on my ubuntu laptop better.

Update: I forgot to mention that in addition to controlling the drone with my Ubuntu linux, the drone itself is actually running linux! One can telnet into the drone system and poke around, make setting changes (though you might void the warranty) similar to iPhones, etc.

[cj.surrusco]

Wow! That really is cool. I'm definitely gonna look into getting one if the price drops a little bit. Have you tested about how long the range is for the wifi?

[hansdown]

That looks like a total blast!

Thanks oregonbob.

[oregonbob]

Wow! That really is cool. I'm definitely gonna look into getting one if the price drops a little bit. Have you tested about how long the range is for the wifi?

Yes I've tested it some. It looks like wifi has a short range at least with my iPhone as controller. 200ft away is about all you'll get. I haven't range-tested using my ubuntu laptop yet. I think it will get a little better range. It is a lot of fun though. I heard they are about to release a new enhanced-reality game any day now.

Here is an 11 minute video I made a few days ago flying with a joystick and ubuntu laptop. Warning: it is boring but you can see how maneuverable it is about 3-4 minute mark. Its like having your video game spaceship jump off the screen and fly across the room.

[Ctrl-Alt-F1]

That is awesome!

[ubudog]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing this. Didn't know this came out yet. Where do you buy it?