The Autopilot 3.0 beta with waypoint mode is looking real good (as of Build 61->64). The following are my observations from testing it for the first time. I only tested the basic 17 pt waypoint patrol mode using three different camera focus triggers. Nothing fancy, but demonstrates the possibilities for endless cinematic scripting.
Pros
- Easy to setup basic "safe" waypoint mission from default settings. Simply click a point or draw a path on the map.
- Flight plan mission can be setup in advance / offline. It can be saved to iOS device or uploaded and sync'd to AFL online site and transferred to another iOS device.
- Easy to customize each waypoint for altitude, speed, focus trigger, etc
- Path inspector to view flight characteristics at any point in the mission. Helpful for manually visualizing the gimbal or aircraft position. Would be nice if this had a “play flight” function. (Edit: flight preview added in build64)
- Camera focus triggers seems to be the best feature. You can set and change the camera gimbal focus anywhere within the mission. You can even mix modes and create a follow-me waypoint as demonstrated in one of the videos below
- Screen recorder function built into app
Cons
- Loss of RC comms will trigger a RTH. This is apparently per design based on needs of target consumer (cinematic scripting), but under evaluation for “other mission type” needs
- screen can get cluttered with all the icons. There are some options in the settings menu to hide
- Custom Flight controller runs on iOS device vs. phantom (with DJI GO). This seems to really load the iOS device. Short testing showed loss of telemetry most likely due to either overheating or overutilization due with multiple apps open and not in airplane mode. I used an iPad Mini4 cellular.
***Offline setup of 17pt Waypoint ‘Patrol’ mission w/ 3 focus triggers
Offline setup of 17pt Waypoint ‘Patrol’ mission w/ 3 focus triggers
***Flight screen recording and camera view of 17pt Waypoint ‘Patrol’ mission
Flight screen recording and camera view of 17pt Waypoint ‘Patrol’ mission
***Flight #2 of same mission, but slower and w/ 3rd focus trigger as follow-me operator
Flight #2 of same mission, but slower and w/ 3rd focus trigger as follow-me operator
***Screen recording of misc waypoint adjustments
Screen recording of misc waypoint adjustments
Pros
- Easy to setup basic "safe" waypoint mission from default settings. Simply click a point or draw a path on the map.
- Flight plan mission can be setup in advance / offline. It can be saved to iOS device or uploaded and sync'd to AFL online site and transferred to another iOS device.
- Easy to customize each waypoint for altitude, speed, focus trigger, etc
- Path inspector to view flight characteristics at any point in the mission. Helpful for manually visualizing the gimbal or aircraft position. Would be nice if this had a “play flight” function. (Edit: flight preview added in build64)
- Camera focus triggers seems to be the best feature. You can set and change the camera gimbal focus anywhere within the mission. You can even mix modes and create a follow-me waypoint as demonstrated in one of the videos below
- Screen recorder function built into app
Cons
- Loss of RC comms will trigger a RTH. This is apparently per design based on needs of target consumer (cinematic scripting), but under evaluation for “other mission type” needs
- screen can get cluttered with all the icons. There are some options in the settings menu to hide
- Custom Flight controller runs on iOS device vs. phantom (with DJI GO). This seems to really load the iOS device. Short testing showed loss of telemetry most likely due to either overheating or overutilization due with multiple apps open and not in airplane mode. I used an iPad Mini4 cellular.
***Offline setup of 17pt Waypoint ‘Patrol’ mission w/ 3 focus triggers
Offline setup of 17pt Waypoint ‘Patrol’ mission w/ 3 focus triggers
***Flight screen recording and camera view of 17pt Waypoint ‘Patrol’ mission
Flight screen recording and camera view of 17pt Waypoint ‘Patrol’ mission
***Flight #2 of same mission, but slower and w/ 3rd focus trigger as follow-me operator
Flight #2 of same mission, but slower and w/ 3rd focus trigger as follow-me operator
***Screen recording of misc waypoint adjustments
Screen recording of misc waypoint adjustments
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