Arduino Esplora Flight Simulator

Control the Flight Simulator option of Google Earth using the Accelerometer of the Arduino Esplora.

Fly virtually around the world; tilting the Accelerometer forward, back, left and right to control the Plane's Pitching and Banking.

If you don't have Google Earth on your PC download it from here:
http://www.google.com/earth/index.html

BTW, you if you don't want to agree to Google Chrome becoming your Default Browser UNCHECK the box at the License Agreement stage.

Step 1: You Will Need

Arduino Esplora.

You can download the required code here.

Step 2: Esplora Code

/*
  Esplora Google Earth Flight Sim
 
 This  sketch shows you how to read the values from the accelerometer to
 control your Mouse.  Mouse is active/inactive on SWITCH_4 Press.
 
 Use with Google Earth Flight Sim Mode
 
 This example is in the public domain.
 */

#include <Esplora.h>

int state = 1;
int state_old = 1;
int mode = 0;
int xAxis, xAxis_old = 0;
int yAxis, yAxis_old = 0;
int zAxis, zAxis_old = 0;

void setup()
{
} 

void loop()
{
  state_old=state;
  state = Esplora.readButton(SWITCH_4);
  if (state_old && !state) {
    mode = !mode;
    if (mode) {
      Mouse.begin();            // take control of the mouse
      Keyboard.begin();
      Mouse.press();          // Click to use Mouse Control in Sim
      delay(100);
      Mouse.release();
    }
    else {
      Mouse.end();
      Keyboard.end();
    }
  }
  
  // Throttle ++
  if (!Esplora.readButton(SWITCH_3)) {
    Keyboard.press(KEY_PAGE_UP);
    delay(100);
    Keyboard.releaseAll();
  }
  
  // Throttle --
  if (!Esplora.readButton(SWITCH_1)) {
    Keyboard.press(KEY_PAGE_DOWN);
    delay(100);
    Keyboard.releaseAll();
}
  
  xAxis_old = xAxis;
  yAxis_old = yAxis;
  xAxis = Esplora.readAccelerometer(X_AXIS);    // read the X axis
  yAxis = Esplora.readAccelerometer(Y_AXIS);    // read the Y axis
 
  int delta_x = xAxis-xAxis_old;
  int delta_y = yAxis-yAxis_old;
  if (mode) Mouse.move(-5*delta_x, 2*delta_y, 0 );

  delay(10);              // wait half a second (500 milliseconds)
}

Step 3: Enjoy

1. Open Google Earth

2. Start the Flight Simulator mode (Tools-> Enter Flight Simulator) or (Ctrl+Alt+A)

3. Best to Select the SR22 Aircraft to start with. It's easier to control.

4. Centre your mouse in the Google Earth Screen

5. Press SWITCH 4 on the Esplora to Take Control of the Mouse

6. Tilt your Arduino to Control the Plane. Backwards to Climb, Forwards to Descend etc...
KeyBoard Controls:
PgUp : Speed ++  (or SWITCH 1)
PgDn : Speed--  (or SWITCH 1)
Space: Pause
More details in Google Earth Help

7. Press SWITCH 4 on the Esplora again to Relinquish control of the Mouse.

Have fun!!