Feature Request: pan-tilt gimbal controls

[lida2003]

I think a pan-tilt gimbal conrol is very thoughtful design.

This is my video about this 2D gimbal, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omBjam52Hq0

So what I'm proposed here: is it possible for Rpanion to intergrate this feature? And then it might be controlled by MP or QGC.

• https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-mount-targeting.html
• https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-camera-controls.html

There is pan-tilt HAT board for RaspberryPi and jetson.

• 【Wiki】www.waveshare.net/wiki/Pan-Tilt_HAT
• 【Github】https://github.com/waveshare/Pan-Tilt-HAT
• 【Aliexpress】https://www.aliexpress.com/i/2251832799696289.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt

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EDIT:
related features:

• Feature Request: send VIDEO_STREAM_INFO mavlink messages to GCS #169
• https://mavlink.io/en/services/gimbal_v2.html

It is something like "Standalone Integrated Camera/Gimbal"

[stephendade]

For the pan/tilt, you connect the gimbal directly to the flight controller and control it from there. I'm not sure why you'd need to go via the RPi?

[lida2003]

For the pan/tilt, you connect the gimbal directly to the flight controller and control it from there. I'm not sure why you'd need to go via the RPi?

Currently, camera and gimble are all connected to Rpi. So I think it's rather simple for the communication. And then Rpi knows what angle it's looking at.

GCS ==> Rpi ==> pan/tilt

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EDIT:

If AP has kind of gimbal manager, which tries to manager gimbals. Then is it possible to add Rpi pan/tilt controlled by AP, then controls gimbal, like Standalone Integrated Camera/Gimbal.

[stephendade]

Using PWM servo pan/tilt with ArduPilot: https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-camera-gimbal.html#common-camera-gimbal

I do plan to add in the VIDEO_STREAM_INFO MAVLink messages, as it should allow better GCS management of the camera video stream.

[lida2003]

Using PWM servo pan/tilt with ArduPilot: https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-camera-gimbal.html#common-camera-gimbal

Hmmmm... I see.

Here is a scenario I'm considering:

a. pan/tilt camera, looking for a specific vechicle
b. now, the camera locks the vechicle at a pan/title angle
c. companion computer need to tell ardupilot to follow and tracking the vechicle
d. during the process of following and tracking, the camera should be always looking at vechicle

The quesiton is what kinds of MAVLink API or message should be used during the process? Any idea or tips?

[stephendade]

So the camera is running some sort of image detection to find the car?

So a typical workflow would be:

1. Camera detects the vehicle
2. Camera software calculates relative pitch and yaw angles from drone to vehicle
3. Camera software sends these values to ArduPilot via MAVLink message (https://ardupilot.org/dev/docs/mavlink-gimbal-mount.html#mav-cmd-do-gimbal-manager-pitchyaw-to-move-to-a-desired-angle-or-at-a-desired-rate)
4. Ardupilot moves the gimbal accordingly
5. Repeat as needed

[lida2003]

Ardupilot has kind of features, which has more info about FC(navigation). Stick to the following diagram might be a good choice.