Computer controlled RC helicopter

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Eliot Phillips of Hackaday writes: “RC helicopters have become so cheap that they’re now a really attractive robotics platform. This guide gives a jumping off point for starting your own project. It covers how to integrate a Gumstix embedded linux system into the helicopter. Code is provided so that you can hook up a usb controller to your laptop and control the helicopter over Bluetooth. All you need to do after that is build some cool controls, hook up a speaker and start streaming Ride of the Valkyries.”

 

Pascal Brisset has detailed instructions including parts lists, software and hardware setup. Here is what Pascal says about his helicopter: “RC model helicopter prices have reached a point where all sorts of challenging (i.e. crash-prone) robotics projects become affordable. This document explains how to build a 300 g, 3D-capable helicopter with embedded Linux and Bluetooth datalink for less than 500 EUR.

As a proof of concept, we provide software which allows the helicopter to be remotely controlled over Bluetooth with a PC joystick. Future work will focus on the integration of sensors (IMU, altitude, magnetic compas, GPS, camera) and flight control software (either third-party or dedicated).”

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20 Comments


  1. pero puede ser mandado por control de xbox. y si no, por que no usar mando de television, para medir el helicoptero


  2. Yah, the fact that they used an xbox controller for this made it like a million times kewler.


  3. I’ve seen Bluetooth controlled mini R/C cars using
    your mobile phone but I hope someone build a mini
    Helicopter that’s controlled by a mobile phone,
    would be cool for the office.
    Checkout my new UK site of RC Helicopters, Cars and
    Boats: http://www.rcgifts.co.uk I have a great deal on a
    R/C Crash car, only £19.99, I haven’t even seen
    anything like this in the shops, here’s the link:
    http://www.rcgifts.co.uk/


  5. great post and cool uses for rcs. the rcs i sell are great candidates for these kinds of projects because you arent paying for a brand name but get comparable quality.


  6. can i have a petrol or liquid fuel consuming sppy helecopter


  7. our project is “Computer controlled RC helicopter” which is the same as what you did, our project should be wireless and we are required to use parallel port. Its all about computer interfacing.
    can you teach me how to interfaced the remote control using parallel port and controlling the helicopter via GUI in my Visual Basic program. please help me…
    i need some procedure.


  9. Hi everyone
    I am trying to create a RC Helicopter able to work as a monitoring tool to look for invasive species plants in remote areas of the Galapagos Islands. Ideally the helicopter will be able to fly a least for 30 minutes and be controlled at the distance of 500 to 1000 m, it has to include a GPS to guide the monitoring route and a transmitter camera to transfer the imagines of the vegetation.
    I am new in this field and so any suggestion about types of helicopter, brands and any additional technical information will be very useful. We are looking for the most economical but effective material which can be able to helps us to reduce costs.
    Any suggestion?
    Thanks
    Jorge


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  12. hi!
    please give me description about how to control rc helicopter with a laptop, please also give me circuit details of if.

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