Saturday, June 19, 2010

This is Your Pilot Speaking

First attempt at autonomous flying.

For now flight stabilization using ailerons, just to see how things "fly".


Also, adjusting the balance for reduced weight, reaching for higher heights and new pictures.

New location no less:

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Improved Quality

First flight with the new phone!

Nothing special, just adjusting the weight:


With no adapter for audio out needed, a very light and small custom cable makes for simpler and lighter packaging.

Testing out the camera:


Better video and pictures, even if the app hasn't been updated yet to take 5MP pictures instead of 3MP:


The "waviness" effect seen in some pictures is produced by motor vibrations.

Also the sensor readings were good as well:


The GPS data is smoother, no anomalous spikes in speed, accelerometer data is also a lot less noisy, to the point it almost doesn't need any filtering. But that's probably due to updated API's then sensor quality.



Just 60 grams of weight reduction for now, but it already flies a lot better.

Friday, June 04, 2010

Upgrading the "Pilot"

An upgrade to the project.

HTC G1 replaced with lighter, faster, better equipped HTC Legend:


Savings in weight should increase the plane's performance, better camera should provide better pictures (and we all want better pictures) and 3.5mm jack should eliminate some cable overpopulation.

And of course, first app written for the phone tests the sensors: