Robotics ground stations. They need a little bit of a revamp. Already they are stuck in the days of 2008 where Atmel micro-controllers were the shiz-nizzle. Today in 2018 we're seeking more advanced ideas and creations and that old ground station used for your drone back in 2008 just doesn't combine the cutting-edge anymore.
What users need in a modern ground system seems to be leaning towards one or two trends:
1) Cross Platform - So why not write the code using Python instead of using an IDE? Users today want to utilise their latest Board Computers (Raspberry Pis, Nvidia Jetsons) which are all using Linux. Users are using Macbooks to program, so why not make it useable on that too with Python script? More and more Users are also using Mini PC platforms too (Intel Nuc, Beelink X55) which are running Windows 10 or Ubuntu on a tiny 12v motherboard with everything in it.
Times are changing. It's no longer just Windows Laptops or Desktops.
UPDATE October 15th: Free Python/Ai/TKinter Lessons at Udemy.com Use Code: OCT_SPL
2) Live Digital Video - Ground stations are still struggling to get off the ground with a good open Live digital video standard. It's also still not very user friendly nor quick to get going.
3) AI Integration - Let's face it, this is where we all want to go. We want to experiment and learn in a practical way, how to utilise all the Artificial Intelligence technologies that are available but still no ground station is out there to provide this opportunity in one easy to start package. It just is not out there.
So why don't we make our own? So I did.
Here is the stage that I am at for my Raspberry Pi Ground Station (rpigs)
In time I see no reason why rpigs cannot include a host of different ways to use and display new technologies: OpenCV object tracking module, Line detection following, Lidar mapping in Real Time, Sense and Avoid Module; just add another Neural Compute Stick for each task.
I wrote this in Python with a few addon dependencies. It works on Ubuntu Laptops, 5v Raspberry Pi, Macbook, Windows PC, everything. Everything. EVERYTHING. Cross-Platform. Everything which uses Python can use it.
Even my Home made 12v Computer which I made from a 16" Laptop Screen and Cardboard Box.
I really love my Ghetto Computer. I can run any Board computer with it giving a lightweight, low-power system which can be upgraded and modified in a more straight forward manner than most sealed modern laptops.
Reviving the Hacktop Computer since 2018.
So, this is why it is useful, haven't you always dreamed of identifying objects as your drone flies over a landscape? Isn't it a fun thing to then be able to assign an action so that once the object has been identified we can learn and decide what course of action we choose it to take? It's a really fun possibility.
I hope to one day have my mini brushed motor plane modified into a UAV and this is part of that idea.
rpigs (Raspberry Pi Ground Station) V1_0 incorporates digital video or analogue video, telemetry data and commands, map view, and Ai. It is in development and has already begun. I hope it is one day good enough to release to the general public for free under open license. I hope that companies an developers will support me with their technology to allow me to continue building on it. Thanks already to Intel & Movidius for helping me with the Neural Compute Stick I wouldn't be here today without your help, and I hope you can continue to support.
Thanks for reading.
What users need in a modern ground system seems to be leaning towards one or two trends:
1) Cross Platform - So why not write the code using Python instead of using an IDE? Users today want to utilise their latest Board Computers (Raspberry Pis, Nvidia Jetsons) which are all using Linux. Users are using Macbooks to program, so why not make it useable on that too with Python script? More and more Users are also using Mini PC platforms too (Intel Nuc, Beelink X55) which are running Windows 10 or Ubuntu on a tiny 12v motherboard with everything in it.
Times are changing. It's no longer just Windows Laptops or Desktops.
UPDATE October 15th: Free Python/Ai/TKinter Lessons at Udemy.com Use Code: OCT_SPL
2) Live Digital Video - Ground stations are still struggling to get off the ground with a good open Live digital video standard. It's also still not very user friendly nor quick to get going.
3) AI Integration - Let's face it, this is where we all want to go. We want to experiment and learn in a practical way, how to utilise all the Artificial Intelligence technologies that are available but still no ground station is out there to provide this opportunity in one easy to start package. It just is not out there.
So why don't we make our own? So I did.
Here is the stage that I am at for my Raspberry Pi Ground Station (rpigs)
In time I see no reason why rpigs cannot include a host of different ways to use and display new technologies: OpenCV object tracking module, Line detection following, Lidar mapping in Real Time, Sense and Avoid Module; just add another Neural Compute Stick for each task.
I wrote this in Python with a few addon dependencies. It works on Ubuntu Laptops, 5v Raspberry Pi, Macbook, Windows PC, everything. Everything. EVERYTHING. Cross-Platform. Everything which uses Python can use it.
Even my Home made 12v Computer which I made from a 16" Laptop Screen and Cardboard Box.
I really love my Ghetto Computer. I can run any Board computer with it giving a lightweight, low-power system which can be upgraded and modified in a more straight forward manner than most sealed modern laptops.
Reviving the Hacktop Computer since 2018.
So, this is why it is useful, haven't you always dreamed of identifying objects as your drone flies over a landscape? Isn't it a fun thing to then be able to assign an action so that once the object has been identified we can learn and decide what course of action we choose it to take? It's a really fun possibility.
I hope to one day have my mini brushed motor plane modified into a UAV and this is part of that idea.
rpigs (Raspberry Pi Ground Station) V1_0 incorporates digital video or analogue video, telemetry data and commands, map view, and Ai. It is in development and has already begun. I hope it is one day good enough to release to the general public for free under open license. I hope that companies an developers will support me with their technology to allow me to continue building on it. Thanks already to Intel & Movidius for helping me with the Neural Compute Stick I wouldn't be here today without your help, and I hope you can continue to support.
Thanks for reading.
