Dear Friend ,
after a lot of month to work and 1 year of experience on VR Gimbal firmware now we are at release 1.20 I'm very happy to present a new revision of product.
VR micro Gimbal 4.0
In the video you can see the early preview of new product . VR micro Gimbal 4 derived from Brain 5 platform , it's based on Nuttx 7 O.S. support SD card for real time data logging and Mavlink protocol for direct integration with our advanced Flight Control VR Brain 5 and VR micro Brain 5 .
We aere working with other member to Dronecode foundation to try to define a standard for gimbal managment based on mavlink protocol .
We already implement a Mission Planner plugin for direct control the gimbal . Now we are discuss in dev team about the development of mavlink packet manager put over the nuttx os that can re direct mavlink traffic to correct device when it recived from ground station of from the specific application .
The new oem product will be available in the next month for beta tester and oem for more information send a mail to info@virtualrobotix.com
Best
Roberto
With the new fast prototyping tecnology is possible to develop new technology from the concept to reality . With high performance DIY electronics and 3D Design tools today is possible to obtain this kind of result.
This is our experience :
We use some 3D Pro as EdgeWorks or Solidworks and Opensource Tools as Bleender for design the frame.
After design we send our advanced project to a fast prototyping company as Shapeways
http://www.shapeways.com/shops/virtualrobotix
Then After some weeks is possible to recive the Frame .
After I put all the electronic inside the new frame I'm ready to doing the first flight the result of first experience was great , in only two hours we put all electronic inside the frame in the next days i would doing also some outdoor flight and put in front of quad a Gopro HD 2 cam for FPV :
The next step will be review of the original project with some upgrade as :
less material for have less price and less weight.
At the moment the weight is around 360 gr is yet good.
In order to fly with:
around 1250 gr
The main upgrade in our mind is more space for 10 '' propeller originally was developed only for 8 '' prop
possibility to change the tail if one broke. Better design for open and close cover on top of quad.
If you have other suggestions are welcome.
Bottom Layer on pc signal in indoor condition
First prototype bottom layer
Signal in outdoor condition
Position of satellite.
VR GPS Ublox Lea 6H with HMC5983 Magnetometer
First Virtualrobotix GPS engine using Ublox LEA-6H receiver.
This is a 50-channel high sensitive engine that boasts a Time-To-First-Fix (TTFF) of less than 1 second.
Also provide a rechargeable backup battery to improve warm start.
The dedicated acquisition engine, with over 2 million correlators, is capable of massive parallel time/frequency space searches, enabling it to find satellites instantly.
Innovative design and technology suppresses interference sources and mitigates multipath effects, giving LEA-6H GPS receivers excellent navigation performance even in the most challenging environments.
Virtualrobotix GPS uses an high efficient low noise amplifier to improve antenna signal (19dB) and a SAW filter to select GPS frequencies (see graph below).
It also mounting an ultimate 3-axis digital compass, with selectable interface SPI or I2C (HMC5983).
This one is an high speed (220Hz output) and high resolution (2 milli-gauss) magnetometer.
Features and Specifications:
ublox LEA-6H module
3,3V or 5V Inputs, with low noise 3.3V regulator.
5 Hz update rate
Rechargeable 3V lithium backup battery for high efficient warm start
Panasonic Low Noise Amplifier for antenna signal with high gain (19dB)
EPCOS SAW high quality low-loss RF filter for GPS application
25 x 25 x 4 mm ceramic patch antenna
Dedicated I2C EEPROM for receiver configuration storage
High resolution compass (2 milli-gauss) and high speed (2 milli-gauss)
Power and fix indicator LEDs
ArduPilot Mega compatible 6-pin JST connector
Exposed pads for simple soldering connection.
38 x 38 x 8.5 mm total size, 18 grams.
Some example from log collected in first test VRX GPS is red Line 3DR is blu
The module will be available in may , for more info or pre order contact us at
info@virtualrobotix.com
http://www.virtualrobotix.it/index.php/en/shop/accessories/3dr-gps-ublox-lea-6-30-37-detail
Origina blog post :
http://www.virtualrobotix.com/profiles/blogs/vr-gps-ublox-lea-6h-with-hmc5983-is-coming
Dear Friends,
i'm happy to present the first Fly of VRI Black Ops Drones ...
See first video ...
After one year of development and a lot of pre serie prototype i'm happy to present the final revision of Black Ops Drone.
It's fly very well in this configuration it use :
VRBRain 4.5 Advanced Edition .
Special custom Distribution Board developed for this design.
- 4 Esc 30 AMP
- T-Motors 3508 .
- 12 Inch T-Motor propeller .
- 433 Telemetry data module
- Ublox GPS + Magnetometer
We fly it in stabilize and gps based functionality as loiter , alt hold , rtl and all work very well :)
What do you think about the new Drones from Virtualrobotix ... It's Sexy :)
more info available here : http://www.virtualrobotix.it/index.php/it-IT/prodotti/bod
Best
Roberto
This is the final configuration of VR Tiger Shark X8 RTF :
VR Brain is the Autopilot board used in Tiger Shark.
VR Gimbal is the Brishless gimbal controller used in Easy Shot Gimbal .
Between Tiger Shark and Easy shot we put a special anti vibration system that cut vibration from drone frame to gimbal. After a lot of work for setup it work very well :)
The frame configuration is X8 coaxial configuration we choose to use this configuration because is possible continue to fly also without two propeller if the payload is not so heavy .
The Payload for camera is near 1 kg . With a 10 Amp 4S battery we are near 15 min of fight.
This is a last fly test doing by Emile with Tiger Shark and Easy Shot Gimbal.
The fly test is doing with last revision of APM Copter available on our repository :
http://vrgimbal.wordpress.com/download/vrgimbal-1-13-2/
The Fly of drone is very smoth and automatic functionality as loiter are solid as rock.
Buonasera a tutti,
oggi e' stata una giornata storica , dopo 3 anni dalla nascita della community Virtualrobotix.com oggi è nata la società cooperativa VirtualRobotix Italia Scarl , startup tecnologica ... costituita come spin off di MpxLab Scarl un organismo di ricerca privato con sede al Kilometro Rosso di Bergamo.
Ecco la foto del brindisi ... purtroppo alcuni dei soci sono dovuti scappar via subito dopo l'atto dal notaio .. contiamo nelle prossime foto di esserci proprio tutti 
I soci fondatori sono 15 un bel numero ... a breve se ne aggiungeranno ... mission della struttura agevolare lo sviluppo di tecnologie robotiche volanti terresti e marine sia nel settore ludico , della ricerca ed innovazione che nel settore professionale.
Il primo evento pubblico di VRI sarà il ModelExpoItaly di Verona dove avremo uno stand !!!
Ci occuperemo di tante cose , dall'inventare e sviluppare nuove tecnologie made in italy e proporle al mondo , alla formazione di piloti per applicazioni professionali ,sviluppare droni certificati ecc ecc .
Da oggi esiste una realtà creata da tanti appassionati che hanno voluto fare della loro passione il loro lavoro
se qualcuno vuole avere info per aderire alla nostra iniziativa o per conoscerne i dettagli ci puo' contattare ainfo@virtualrobotix.com
Un saluto a tutti
Roberto Navoni
Hello to everybody,
today is an historic day for us, after 3 years from the birth of the Virtualrobotix.com community we finally founded the company VirtualRobotix Italia s.c.a.r.l. formed as a spin off of MpxLab Scarl a private research organization based at Kilometro Rosso of Bergamo (Italy).
Here is a photo of the toast ... Unfortunately, some of the members were not present but we expect in the next picture to be all.
We are 15 founding members (quite a number...) and others will join shortly and we are all driven by the will to transform their passion into a work.
Our mission is to facilitate the development of air, terrestrial and marine robotic technologies for the recreational, research and professional use.
We will take care of many things
- inventing and developing new technologies made in Italy and offering them to the world
- training of pilots for professional applications
- developing and certification of drones
- Offer specific services as Aerial Video and Photography
…And many other bound only by our imagination
The first public event of VRI will be at the “ModelExpoItaly” of Verona (2-3 March 2013) , where we will have a 36sqm booth!
If you need more info on how to join our initiative or need to know more details about our mission you can contact us at info@virtualrobotix.com
Greetings to all,
Roberto Navoni
This is the first picture of VR BRAIN 4.5 + VR IMU GOLD.
Thi new imu expand the number of imu available for VRBrain .
With this addon is possible to have two active imu controlled by VR Brain.
On VR IMU Gold there are 3ACC 3GYRO 3 MAGN and a EEPROM for store temperature drift correction table.
With this kind of option we intend to improve a lot the quality of VRBrain for GOLD (Prosumer version ) and VRBrain PRO.
Now we are in development stages :) This is a good hack for your VR Brain 4.5 ;)
Best
Roberto
original url : http://www.virtualrobotix.com/group/armcopterdevgroup/forum/topics/vr-brain-4-5-vr-imu-gold-is-coming?xg_source=activity
Dear Friends,
in this video you can see my last Payload Test on this Heavy Lift Hexa Coax configuration.
The VR Dragon build list :
Multipilot32 : http://www.virtualrobotix.com/page/multipilot32-1
VRIMU FULL : http://www.virtualrobotix.com/pages/vr-imu-10
ESC Motorius 50 Amp : http://www.modellismomaximo.com/product_info.php?cPath=158&products_id=1705
Motors Pulso x6
Propeller x6
Frame Carbon Fiber by Fly Cam Italy.
4 Milk bottle with inside water , 1 bottle 1 kg of water.
The firmware is a custom revision of ArdupiratesNG32 , in the next week start to check the ACM 2.0.38 on MP32 all is ready for doing some flying test .
Here you can found the revision of code : http://code.google.com/p/multipilot32/
The next step will be fly with a professional gimbal. With 3 kg of payload whe can put on board a good camera , lens , gimbal ecc ecc.
Do you like my last creation :)
Best
Roberto
Hello Guys,
I am here for the latest update, I would say that many were waiting ... We are finally back to fly .. it starts from where I stopped with QuadFox V3, but now with much more power 'you can use to fly our beautiful quad.
What I posted and 'the first official flight after the failure of Sunday's pre-flight test due to malfunction of the GyroZ OilPan, promptly replaced by Jordi , thank you Chris and Jordi for your support ,Diydrones of which' was timely in sending, sent from the United States Sunday arrived today mounted and here is the first flight. Only preliminary tests. I used the firmware version published Sunday .I put new IMU and flies as I suggested no major problems except the ones I had already' seen in pre-flight test, but going to be solved improve some operations, particularly the libraries that I rewrote the management of the radio, the problem I have is' above them.
The test that I did use Arducopter NG 32, Multipilot32 as CPU, OilPan as IMU, ESC Chinese engines from 6 € robby recovered from my old mk, rx Graupner 12 ppm scan analog output sum .. 3S 20c Lipo Battery
I also remember that for those interested in doing another online seminar tomorrow on the product roadmap of Multipilot32. I predict that the stable version for standard users will be 'available within a month of work today. The actual and the 'pre alpha version only for Developer and Hard coder who know what they do when they hold a pre-review software.
If you wish to attend tomorrow night at 22.00 Make reservations on the link in such a way that will 'send an email invitation.
http://www.virtualrobotix.com/events/mp32-roadmap-presentation-and
Greetings
Roberto
In the last two years i fly my electronics with different kind of frame :
This was my first frame Fox One:
My second frame wasFox TWO :
Then with my Friends Franco develope FOX III This is our Pro Carbon Fiber Frame :
Then with AleBS i develop low cost frame :
And this Summer with Antonio I work at VR Dragon ...
Now is the time of new frame generation ... With the help of Roberto74 that doing a great job We working on new frame produced using 3D printer technology. We waiting the first prototype in the next week stay tuned :)
So we have better Electronic and better approach for design our future frame directly from our mind ... :)
Check our store on shapeways ... after we doing some check on prototype will be available here :
http://www.shapeways.com/shops/virtualrobotix
Original blog post here : http://www.virtualrobotix.com/profiles/blogs/first-concept-frame-proposal-for-mp32f4-from-idea-to-ready-to-fly
Building and testing platform for transport and recovery sensors in sensitive area, remember, this is only a game!
This project was born from the need to provide my aircraft with a RF system
transmission autonomous to identify their location in emergency condition,
this condition must be remote and connected only failure all the systems on board.
The area where I work does not allow to rely on the GPS system,the signal of this
is not sufficient in a large area when the aircraft is grounded.
For this reason I decided to develop a low cost Beacon that allows me to
identify the exact point of transmission to more than 2km from the starting position
in the worst condition, for example the source transmission located in dense forest.
The natural history of this project required me to build a system
economical to transport this system in a point of 2km away and not accurate position.
so I decided to build a replica of the V2 missile with release system parachute
assisted with barometric system.
The platform used for transportation is a Aeroplane, the model is FunCub Multiplex.
Design and construction of the beacon system :
The important objectives of this system is:
1) Reliable
2) Light
3) Resistant to mechanical stress
4) Significant autonomy
5) Powerful
6) Must not interfere with the avionics of the model
I tested many different MCU and RF modules to minimize consumption.
Some photos of the construction phase ...
Power system used was composed of 3 cell Li-Po with a capacity of 150 mA / h for a verified autonomy of 12 h
from the beginning of the RF transmission.
The total weight of battery unit is 12g.
Assembled battery pack.
The MCU is a PIC16F88, a microcontroller that I had in my lab.
You can use a wide variety of MCU depending on what resources
are required and available in your laboratory. The main problem is to reduce
consumption, which is essential use a proper method of programming.
In my case, the MCU is used to analyze the condition of aircraft avionic
and in case there is an emergency condition after a certain time enables the transmission of the RF module.
On board of the V2 the MCU ( Atmega ) communicates with the MCU beacon system
and generates the control signals. The unusual construction technique ensures a low weight Hardware
and a high resistance to mechanical stress. The box is constructed of a Depron multilayer material.
In the other side is located the modulated AM Aurel RF module also decided about this for low power
and wide range of supply voltage. The complete system weighs only 22g with battery and has
transmission capacity for 12h at 50mW RF power.
The complete system on the balance.
The directional antenna is derived from this project : http://www.missilistica.it/laserteam/yagi1.htm This antenna is homemade and designed originally for use with radio localization systems therefore suitable.
Is compact, robust and with proper RF band. I use a scanner ICOM as a receiver but also in this case
depends what comes in the laboratory. Certainly there are reception systems with greater sensitivity.
I consider it very convenient to use the internal system of RF attenuation and the frequency shift
when close to the source. This allows me to find the source, starting from several kilometers and approach until a few meters with correct direction.
Construction of the V2 :
The following pictures of the various phases of construction, the materials used are
balsa wood and paper to the tube of the parachute containment.
V2 completed ready for testing on the air.
The realization of the parachute requested further study and testing to verify the falling speed calculated and the components used.
Following the graphs recorded by the logger in the first launch without using system of expulsion.
- Time Vs. Altitude
- Time Vs. Speed
The video of the first test and second test with ejection system with barometric control :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbsQHrNRASs&list=UUrnWHoLed2O112VUSQ8XhxA&index=1&feature=plcp
The barometric ejection system is very important to reach the ground in the shortest time possible
without drift due to wind, the falling speed is calculated 1.5mt/sec.
The section rx assembled and ready.
The full retail platform ready for mission.
The final video in the laboratory :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jp04Df8z4s
Day of the mission :
For the mission I identified suitable area and made several expeditions.
The target area was guarded by my two friends to prevent access by unauthorized parties. Was prepared a list of tasks and controls to be performed to leave nothing to chance!
Any problems would abort the mission!
My friends were ordered to keep clear of the area and tell me order of release
when the aircraft was flying so as to avoid any mistake on my part evaluation in an instrumental. After release and landing these were to go to a meeting area where I met after the rescue mission,
this is the only support at my mission.
Video of the Day :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgAZF4FNwuk
Luckily I prepared a list of checks to execute before the flight!!!
Some photo of damage after the rescue mission :
I like the results of the mission, the V2 is now repaired and working perfectly!
Some photos are seen previously after repair of V2.
Thanks for your attention and sorry for my bad English!
This is the first Flight of VR Brain 5 LX
These are the picture of first drone controlled by VR Brain 5 LX
After great job did by APM dev team to porting APM firmware on Linux Os our team decide to start to investigate about our design derived by standard VR Brain and ported to Linux .
At the begin we develop a board called Neuron II only as companion computer connected to uBrain as main flight controller and the linux cpu for advanced functionality as low latency video streaming.
After some test we decide to try to merge all our experience on Neuron II and VR Brain on a single design and put inertial sensor like IMU MPU6000 and barometer on VR Neuron II and trasform it in VR Brain 5 LX:)
In our design we evaluate different cpu at the end decide to support RPI 2 cpu and implement on it our hardware design.
Study and understand the new architecture and at the end we done the first real flight by first VR Brain 5 LX. Thanks to Luca , Erik and Matteo for firmware and software development and porting and Diego for hardware design.
In our design we mantain the compatibility with standard VR Accessories like GPS and telemetry and start to evaluate how merge the work done on Neuron II like payload managment , Professional object advoidance ecc to VR Brain LX.
These are the specification of new board :
VR Brain 5 LX
Thanks to VR Lab Team , Diydrones Dev Team , Navio and Erlerobotics team for work done until now on APM code and linux porting . Great Job guys :) I hope in the next months that our team star to contribute on Linux version of APM code ,too
for more ino : r.navoni@virtualrobotix.com
Best
Roberto Navoni
Dear Friends,
a new member of our VR Gimbal Test Team, start to test a VR Copter Fly Cam configuration. This is his hexacopter, used for shooting this video :
The Hexa configuration uses :
To reach the best flight performance from VRBrain, out tester used this kind of trick for solve the issue vibration.
This is the result of vibration during the flight. It's very good :)
Our tester use acro mode during his first fly test and he's very happy of result have with VR Brain Flight control.
http://www.virtualrobotix.com/page/vr-brain-v4-0
for more info about the status of the project join here :
http://www.virtualrobotix.com/group/vr-gimbal-user-group?xg_source=activity
Hello everyone,
a year and a half ago came Multipilot 1.0 an inertial platform for applications and semi-professional hobby. After the excellent results obtained from the marketing of these cards, and participation in development projects as open source and Aeroquad Arducopter and 'born www.virtualrobotix.com community.
Today our community is proud to present the evolution of our project: Multipilot 2.0 ST.
Stay tuned :
This is the Official thread : http://www.virtualrobotix.com/forum/topics/multipilot-20-ap32-buildingThe characteristics of Multipilot 2.0 are:
Inspired by Robertos "open top" frame I have modified my CTX4 frame design to get open top and top mounted LiPo CTX4 V2
Some Pictures created using SketchUp
The frame uses 16mm carbon tubes and tube clamps from flyduino.net
Have moved the LiPo plate to show the open top.
In this frame I plan to use a GoPro or other small camera in the front as FPV cam.
If I want to use it for film/photo, I mount a landing gear that have a brushless gimbal and VR Gimbal Controller.
Here is my CTX4 V1 that was used in my loiter test video
I plan to use:
Step 1
VR Brain 4.5 (+ external IMU when it is supported)
APM 2.5 Power module to get 5V and measure LiPo voltage and ampere usage
UBLOX Lea 6 GPS
3DR 433Mhz telemetry radio modules
30A SimonK ESC
Step 2
FPV camera and 5,8Ghz TX
Step 3
Landing gear
Brushless gimbal (GoPro)
VR Gimbal Controller
Step 4
2 way video switch, so I can switch between FPV and GoPro using a radioswitch.
Step 5
?
If any interest, I plan to create a build log where I describe things step by step in a way so new user may find some help + make a forum thread where you can ask questions or give me hints about what I should do another way (I´m not a pro)
Dear Friends,
in these day i continue to investigate the better way to develop good video with Hexafox32 platform.
I add the managment of gimbal on code and doing a video , then i put the result in stabilization software in this video on the left is possible to see the hardware stabilization (some times you see the front tail move on video ) and on the right the software optimization doing in post processing.
What do you think about my results , this video is doing with GoProHD , but i doing also other video with a compact camcoder Panasonic SD90. I'm also working on VR Dragon with MP32 on board with professional gimbal stabilization for manage Canon EOS 7D or my 600D
Best
Roberto
Stay tuned :
This is the Official thread : http://www.virtualrobotix.com/forum/topics/multipilot-20-ap32-building