I am Using FlytPi Kit for building Drone Applications. This kit saves my time and money $$$. Also, it has various built-in apps to keep the things simple and short. For more information, I followed documentation. But don’t worry this guide might help you to get started.

Many of the users are already using raspberry pi drone kit or building their own kit but it cost too much and even after that they won't succeed after throwing $$$.

Are you in one of them? If yes then this might help you a lot, and if not also it would be perfect you to start with a good guide.

Let's start with the little intro. Drones offer a different perspective on the way we look at things. As a result, they are an excellent medium to carry out object tracking.

In this article, we will implement Object tracking using Raspberry Pi3 (with raspberry pi 3 drone kit). It is one of the best DIY companion computers in the market and is well suited to carry out computer vision applications.

For the purpose of this project, I am using FlytOS - the drone operating system offered by FlytBase.

FlytBase provides users with a ready-to-use Visual follow me app. So, without any further delay, let's begin. Also if you don’t want to keep it simple and short get start with FlytPi.

Step 1: Unboxing the Kit

Coming to What we get in the FLYTPI KIT.

So the contents of FLYT PI KIT are as follows :

1x Raspberry Pi3 Model B 1x Plastic Enclosure
1x 32GB uSD Card Class 10 with FlytOS Commercial Edition
1x Attached UART-to-UART cable
1x Power Module 5V 4A (Powers both FlytPi and Autopilot, provides battery out for ESCs)
1x Wall Adapter (Micro-USB)
1x HDMI Cable
1x Ethernet Cable

Official instructions for using FLYTPI

Let's get started: First step is to remove all the contents out and explore them. Later after removing all the packaging and all I could see a raspberry pi with sd card preconfigured and installed with "FlytOS" by FlytBase.

Step 2: Connecting FLYTPI With Your Drone Based on Pixhawk Flight Controller

As you have already opened the package and you see you get a Flytpi with a cable which has a Molex it goes to the Telemetry 2 port on Pixhawk as shown below.

So connect your RPI to the port and you are all set for next step. You just simply have to connect this cable as shown in the first picture :

Also, you need to connect the power module that you get with the power-module you have to power your pixhawk.

The power module that you get with the FLYTPI Kit and you connect it as shown in the above image. Ahh, Instructable won't allow me to add picture below this, really bad :D

So after that...

...you are all set to go now one end of this connector connects with battery and gives power to FLYTPI via USB and the other end goes to power-module or power distribution as per your setup.

Step 3: Powering the Setup and Access to FLYTCONSOLE

Power on the setup with your LIPO and your setups are ready to fly with FLYTPI with pre-installed FLYTOS.

You can use a laptop or any device with a browser and wifi access. Just connect to SSID: “flytos_WiFi” which is your FLYTPI WIFI, password for same is “flytos123”

SSID: flytos_WiFi

Password: flytos123

Open Your browser and type in a default IP address: 10.42.0.1/flytconsole And there you see a flytconsole where you can do a lot of calibrations and settings.

You can now do the following features wirelessly (just connect FLYTPI and Pixhawk on your drone) NO NEED OF ANY USB CABLE.

So that also means no wire tangling when you are calibrating your drones all sensor calibration can be done via the webconsole: you can type in - 10.42.0.1/flytconsole once you have connected to the FLYTPI.

Also, the Ip assigned is 10.42.0.1 you can even connect to this IP.

So lets get an overview of what all is actually there in the Flytconsole and how does it looks like.

{The above image is of FlytPi kit booted up and in ready mode.}

Now that you are in the link: 10.42.0.1/flytconsole/ in your browser you can see something like the another picture.

NOTE: While powering on your FLYTPI remember to power on your Pixhawk so as the FlytOS detects Pixhawk.
So as you see your license is already activated from FlytBase. Just and Plug and Use.

Step 4: Frame Selection and Calibration

So all the above features you see are supported with PX4 firmware and will be soon be supported by APM firmware.

Step 5: Plug and Play

Coming to the PLUG AND PLAY POINT again you can connect the camera or any USB devices and use them easily check out some features for the camera:

RC PARAMETERS are also shown if need any help if you are not getting it then comment below will solve your issue.

So to get the maps functioning properly you will have to connect a dongle to FLYTPI to get the maps downloaded which it doesn't all on its own if you are planning to use auto-missions.

Now that you can see the GCS:

Also, if you do not have internet connected it might look something like the map in the image.

But is totally work if you are just to explore it and not use it.

Battery status checking also in the image.

Step 6: Go FLY

After setting everything up and calibration of all sensors you can test fly it also you can try using some sample apps like joystick and camera feed apps from below link :

http://docs.flytbase.com/docs/FlytOS/Developers/MoreSampleApps.html

Now there you have more power than raspberry pi powered drone, the FlytPi powered Drone.