We are using torqeedo electric propulsion system…we intend to use autopilots for commercial use so what may be your @rmackay9 suggestion for autopilot’s specifications for commercial usage ex-autopilot’s operating voltage,ports,sensors and commercial certification.
And in our case multiple boats maximum of 10 boats operated in a particular perimeter and we need to moniter those boats in a single system .whether we can do that using single sytem? if possible can you give any suggestion on that? Or for every boats we need a separate system to moniter? And in this case vehicle to vehicle communication is mandatory or not? Is any platform to perform that?
If anyone worked on this can give suggestions.
Hi @Robot_Core,
The list of supported autopilots is here and I’m afraid I have no further advice beyond what I’ve already said. Like I’ve said before, there are many options and as a core developer I can’t favour one autopilot vendor over another so stop asking me the same question over and over in different places please.
We have some advice here on the wiki re using multiple vehicles together.
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@Robot_Core
where are you located? If in the US checkout mrobotics they have some great flight controller (FC) but a bit spendy although everything now is quite a bit more spendy. I would 100% get a F7 or even better yet a H7 FC they will have the capacity to have all the new features that would be coming down the pipe. The wiki is getting very good now so start browsing it, it has so much info. what is your end state goals may help decide what FC you need as some have more features than others?
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Hello @rmackay9 is it possible to build a custom gcs or fleet management for pixhawk or any other api is there for pixhawk controller??! if possible can u share any docs .
Look up the MissionPlanner docs, there’s a section on customising it.
Ardupilot sends telemetry data via Mavlink, so you can write your own GCS.
You just need to do some more research - all the information is easily available.
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Hi @Robot_Core,
As @xfacta says it is very possible to write your own ground station. We have some information here on the developer wiki about the MAVLink protocol.
There’s also a discuss category and several real-time chat areas in discord.
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Thanks @rmackay9 and do you know what type of certification is needed for autonomous boats in which human can travel?
Ardupilot code of conduct forbids the use of it for manned applications.
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Which can be used for manned application?
Nothing you would find on this forum.
To be a bit more precise, the developer code of conduct says AP is not for use in applications where it is control of human lives (and core dev team members can’t assist with these projects).
ArduPilot is NOT certified for use in applications where ArduPilot is effectively in control of human lives. Members of the development team must not knowingly assist in projects where ArduPilot will be in control of human lives. “In control of human lives” includes but isn’t limited to manned aircraft.
For flying vehicles it’s very clear AP should not be used for manned applications but it is a bit more of a grey zone for rovers and boats.
When I’m thinking about a project I consider what would happen if AP stopped working or if it started sending crazy outputs to the motors? Could someone be killed?
The answer can depend upon how powerful the vehicle is, the expertise of the humans on board and what safety measures are in place (e.g. big red button to disconnect AP from motors, rescue personnel standing by).
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Thanks @rmackay9 .my last question is we are using cube orange and jetson xavier nx as controller and torqeedo as propellar and telemetry of 10km range and gps ,which a autonomous boats going to operate only is shallow water like lakes, canals to transport humans. So my doubt is can we commercialise this product ? and easy to certify ?
Or do have any other alternatives?
I think the word “certified” in the developer code of conduct is referring to a certification by the ArduPilot development team. In other words, the AP development team is saying, the software is (or is not) meant for use in some applications.
This certification is really separate from the comercialisation of a product that includes ArduPilot. The software is open source so as long as you abide by the GPLv3 license, I don’t think you need the certification of the development team to commercialise it.
I’m afraid I don’t have any advice about any other software that might be suitable for the application you’re describing.
I’m not sure if that answers your questions but this is about as much as I can tell you. I don’t think it will help to ask again in a different way.
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If I may add to the conversation, I suggest you follow the money trail: What do you need to get full insurance coverage of the vehicle?
Unless you plan to operate in some obscure part of the world where life has no value, you will find that to getting liability coverage requires A LOT of requirements
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I do no wether any regulations created for autonomous boats? So how marine industry going to certify it? We can make safety measures like emergency stop and rescue team other than that
reliability of hardware ,software and sensors.so i was asking about ardupilot in cube or else any other is there?
Once again, it all depends on requirement from your liability coverage.
My day job is working for a Robotic Company that supplies Warehouse AMR and the certification process is driven by ISO/AINSI/UL and covert all aspect of QC from design to operations.
Here is one of the few compliant integration of Orange Cube
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