MissionPlanner

MissionPlanner is an open source application designed to act as a virtual ground control station for your copter, plane or rover devices. The utility enables you to configure the various settings of your autonomous device and ensure its peak performance.

The setup is quick and forthright, particularly since it entails following the instructions provided in the installation kit after you decompress the archive. In case you do not have the corresponding driver for the device you are about to connect, then the app prompts you to install it.

Once you open the application, you can proceed to connect it to the AutoPilot, an action that you need to take in order to take control of the land or air vehicle via the program. You should keep in mind that the connection can be established via USB, telemetry radios, Bluetooth or IP connections, depending on the specifications of your device.

At this point, the app should be able to detect the board you are using and request that you load the appropriate firmware for it. You can access the Initial Setup function to configure the device and test whether the firmware is working as intended.

The highlight of the application stems from the fact that you create step-by-step missions for your gadget. You can begin by setting up a home point, a task that requires you to specify an altitude parameter. In case you are unsure about the value, you can leave the default 100 meters altitude.

Afterwards, you can enter the desired waypoints and other commands, depending on what you prefer the device to do during the mission. Among the commands you can use to control your gadget, you can count loiter, splite, change speed, land, jump, land and return to launch, just to name a few.

If you enjoy using autonomous devices such as aircraft or guided vehicles, but would like to have more control over their functionality and set up multiple waypoint missions, then perhaps MissionPlanner could lend you a hand.