Connecting Raspberry Pi w/ Pixhawk and Communicating via MAVLink Protocol

In upcoming videos I'll demonstrate installing DroneKit and using Python to do some more interesting things with Raspberry Pi and Pixhawk.

This ArduPilot page is what I used to do the initial setup:

You can download Raspian Jesse here:

Here are the steps to install Raspian on your SD card:

It's really an exciting time to be in the world of UAVs. I hope this video was helpful and please post any questions or comments below.

[karkin]

The one and only youtuber making some higher end tutorials about drones connecting raspberry pi and pixhawk, with dronekit. Very interesting :) I sure hope there will be more tutorials about RPI and pixhawk coming!

[khushalbrahmbhatt]

I can't thank you enough for making these videos. They're the only video tutorials out there on using companion computers with pixhawk. They're really getting me through my college project.

[Nebulr]

ive been so interested in building a Long range fixed wing with autonomous capabilities read a load of non sense crap on groups when i asked about Pixhawk Ardupilot etc no one gave me a straight answer felt discouraged and demotivated, its very nice of you to explain in so much detail, atleast now i have proper superficial knowledge about what is what and whats going on, thanks allot!

[ravfpv]

Hey Dennis
Your timing is incredible. I am currently working on a raspberry pi 3b project using Emlid apm sheild along with Emlid Reach. Unlike yourself, I am far from a computer programmer. So I'm running into a language barrier. Thank God I have teenagers. Looking forward to future videos on this discussion. Thanks for keeping us all in the loop Dennis
Keith

[brendendas]

This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you. Eagerly looking forward to your next tutorial.

[FPVcambodia]

That's pretty impressive Dennis; I was presented PI some 1 year ago from an open source club in Phnom Penh; and here we are integrating PIxhawk and this small powerful enough computing PI machine! Wow; this looks promising for a few Grams more on the craft with its slaves commands.... Cheers once again for such inspiring tutorials intros; truly inspiring... The only problem is that I do not code on Linux! ;( Cheers and Safe Flying!

[Afiso]

Awesome, thank you. Finally i got it working because of your clear video. Greetings from Holland

[jameslyons]

Perfect project! Can't wait to see all the uses that can come out of this setup. Gr8 vid, way to go!

[milicbogdanovic]

Dennis, I purchased QAV400 years ago I was going to use a raspberry pie and pixhawk to control QAV400, I am missing few items. Do to a job I put this aside for since 2013 and would like to finish my QAV400.
Current Specs:
- Lumenier QAV400 frame
- T-Motor MT2212-11 1100KV motors
- fpvmanuals 30 amp ESC’s with SimonK firmware
- 3DR Pixhawk with GPS
- APC 8x4.7 SF and APC 8x4.7 SFP
- GoPro Hero 3 camera
- Lumenier 5200mAh 4S battery

As you can see I am missing few items, but my intent was to control the QAV400 via smart phone or tablet. I see you connected a raspberry pie, but not for that purpose, I love to pick your brain, so I can finish this build.

[DaveMerc]

Wow that was an eye opener! I had no idea that was being developed. Thanks for sharing.

[BarefootBeekeeper]

Nice work! Looking forward to some practical applications for this.

[fxsti]

Thanks for this video. Looking forward to more on this and anything you can share on obstacle avoidance.

[SamFugarino]

Thanks Dennis, exactly what I'm wanting to explore. Thanks for sharing and keep the videos coming.

[zevi]

Wow, this is great stuff! Im very excited to see what you can do with computer vision with the Pi!

[karunakarank.]

Wow, awesome is an understatement. Thanks for kindly sharing Dennis. As usual, you rock! I intend to do a similar setup soon I hope, and this helps.

[georgehadjipavlis]

Amazing. Can no wait for your next videos. Keep up the great work.

[adibbins]

Great Dennis, as always very useful and as others have said very exciting. I look forward to further instalments.

[DeFiNerds]

Another great video!! I'm waiting for the next one. I'm gonna start playing with dronekit.

[SYNFPVPILOT]

Great vid. I've planned to experiment w/ CV on a 150lb rover I built. Object recognition and tracking is high on the list for my project. Watching your progress w/ RP closely.

[mums]

I was liiking for a video like this! thank you!