Google Cardboard 3D FPV flying

If you want a cheap 3D FPV experience, you might consider using a google cardboard kit. Combining this kit with your smartphone, and a skyped fpv video to the phone, you would get a 3D flying experience on the cheap. In SBS 3D, of course. There will be lag issues no doubt, but it would be cool for a spectator/co-pilot, or improving disability access to RC flying.

Try crossing your eyes a little on the below image

App here

Cardboard

Google Cardboard by Mestaty on Sketchfab

Update:

I think that the DJI Phantom might have a heads-up on Arducopter as it's video feed is sent via 2.4ghz (wifi frequency).

It seems plausible that a specific video-over-wifi app can be made for Google Cardboard & Phantom 2.4ghz video and avoid the lag issues that would exist when using a 5.8ghz vtx & skype workaround to send video from a 'capture device & laptop' to a smartphone.

My second guess, is that DJI are already in prototyping for such a system that includes a 3d Blackbird fpv camera:

transmitting video over wifi (2.4ghz signal) to a smartphone app and using the Carboard SDK/Project Tango SDK. It's smoothly compatible when you think about it, compared to attempting to hack most people's 5.8ghz vtx modules.

How could 3DR respond?

I mean, are there any Turnigy 9x radio modules that allow you to use 5.8ghz, instead of 2.4ghz?

I am aware that there are 2.4ghz VTX & VRX modules available like this one so it seems that the issue is converting your Turnigy 9x to use 5.8ghz..Or UHF frequency like OpenLRS or EzUHF system.

At the moment, In my eyes, this is the future for immersive flight on a consumer level. For most people who have already taken up the hobby of quadcopter building, it's going to be an outlay yet again for you guys to change both your flight controller & fpv transmitters. 

The other option would be to use a dedicated goggle like the occulus rift connected to a 5.8ghz receiver, but who wants to outlay the money for a dedicated goggle when it's possible to adapt a smartphone that most people already own? It's a cost outlay dilemma it seems.

Option 1: Use a dedicated SBS 3D/Occulus Rift goggle: $350 (probably more when it's ready for release) & 3D fpv blackbird camera: $135 

Option 2: Convert your 9x to 5.8ghz (not aware this is possible) or use OpenLRS ($50)/EzUHF ($200) (, change your fpv system to 2.4ghz (Price variable) and use your smartphone & 3D FPV app.

Something to start to think about, converting to UHF radio & 2.4ghz video.

Super-turbo-Awesome ground control system

If you take a hummingbird board, (http://www.solid-run.com/products/hummingboard/), with a RC305 video receiver, a 7" touchscreen monitor....Load DroidPlanner onto it...Mount it to your Taranis...And you have both recordable FPV & touchscreen GroundControlSystem. And A/B switch to change between the 2 screens. Nice idea huh? Shall I build it? :)

Throttle failsafe working on MPNG + AIOP using standard 9x receiver

If you are using MegapirateNG and a Crius AIOP board with the Turnigy 9x, the standard 9x receiver doesn't enable the somewhat important throttle failsafe feature in Arducopter & Mission Planner.

However, I have the Throttle failsafe working on my 'Locust Quadcopter' AIOP board, using the standard 9x receiver (9x8cV2). 
It appears to have allowed me not to purchase the Frsky modules (£50/pair?) just to enable throttle failsafe.

If you would like to try it, I have used this PPM encoder V1 board which cost me just over £4 on ebay.

It was quite simple:

I set up MegapirateNG on the Arduino software to enable the default PPM (Changing it from my previous PWM signal), and uploaded it.

I then plugged the ppm encoder board between the 9x receiver and AIOP, sending the 3 ppm wires (+5v, GND, PPM) to the AIOP board (+5v, GND, A8).

I powered the 9x receiver from the AIOP board also (powering using the PPM encoder board didn't work for me). I didn't use the MUX wire on the PPM encoder either. It's not necessary.

Then, it was just a case of connecting the ch pins from 9x receiver to PPM encoder as you see fit for your needs.

I didn't have to modify the PPM encoder at all. It worked as it came, out of the bag.

If anyone wants assistance I'm happy to offer advice. 

3D printing a V929 frame

Here's the new 3D Printing of a V929 frame with a tilting 808 camera mount, sideways battery slot, and vtx mounting plate:

Thermal Imaging Quadcopter

Update on Flir Lepton camera:
lens = 50-60degree fixed focus
voltage= 2.5-3.1v
power=150mw
dimensions 8.5mmx8.5mm
pins=32pin socket connection
resolution=80x60px
Interface=i2C, MIPI, VoSPi
Price=$xxx

FPV Video

I was thinking, just now, wouldn't it be great if instead of using an lcd monitor screen mounted on the controller, or the traditional rc video goggles like these:


Perhaps a hybrid like google glass would be fun to use.


You could record the pilots view, and also record the quad view in the HUD then possibly link this video feed remotely to a live service such as Livestream or Ustream (Or your military commander....). 



or this: 

or with thermal imager:

Update - LM1881 chip

Unable to get the sync chip to sync video correctly. Both pictures are there, but not in sync.
Using the basic PALdemo code for Arduino TVout: http://playground.arduino.cc/Main/TVout

And the live video-out from 808 #16 camera.

Both going into the LM1881 chip.

Motivation.

"people often ask me why big companies have trouble innovating while small companies seem to be able to do it so easily."http://recode.net/2014/01/01/can-do-vs-cant-do-culture/

I've been thinking about buying my first RC Plane: A bixler 1.1 with Ardupilot. My finger keeps wavering over the 'buy it' button but it's the conflict of cost with my weekly financial budgeting that keeps me from going through with the purchase. Anyway, my thoughts: I thought as I'm doing this project mostly for myself, and for my own education. I'll be sharing it freely online and making the code available for all. But I can't help thinking, it would be really nice if I could get that Bixler from the efforts I'm putting in. Anyway, whatever. I'm still doing this project no-matter.