I have been waiting for DJ to add support of the GPS module (he said he was ordering one) to see what I can do . Right now, other than following a colored object, I don't see a lot of benefit to using ARC with my AR Drone. I use a program called qgroundcontrol to program autonomous flight paths using hte GPS module (it is quirky and poorly documented and the newest release doesn't work at all though....).

I really want a "follow-me" function that will use the GPS module along with my phone's GPS to make the drone stay within a certain distance and facing the same direction I am traveling to have it follow me on my mountain bike (in fields obviously. Trying that in the woods would be a disaster). Drones by 3DR can do this, but no one has written software for the AR Drone that I have found yet.

As far as Robotics, I would like to make a robotic platform that can carry the drone, and then when it wants to get a close-up picture, would launch the drone and get close, then have the drone return. The limited battery life then becomes an issue though (I am thinking a neighborhood watch bot. It would drive up and down my street, and then if I see something I want to get a better look at like a car license plate, or suspicious activity, I launch the drone to get a close look).

So, lots of ideas, but nothing implemented yet.

Alan

Thank you thetechguru, That was my final next step to have drone follow "Lal" with a red dress down my driveway. I agree there are so many possibilities with drones and ARC. Sounds like we are wanting to do some similar things and advance. Flying robots (computers) like the AR Drone 2, are only going to progress forward. That is great idea to have your land based robot carry the drone and let it launch! I just received today my Turnigy upgrade 2.2 LiPo battery today from HobbyKing and put it on my Turnigy equal cell charger. It is sais it will charge on the AR Drone 2.0 charger also. The Turnigy 2.2 battery is suppose to increase flyiing time from 10-12 minutes to 20 minutes. I will report back after charging and testing first flight w/ Turnigy 2.2

Alan, Charged my new upgrade Turnigy battery from HobbyKing on the original Parrot Drone 2.0 charger that came w/drone. I timed todays flight w/new battery and realized almost 18 minutes flying time in windy conditions. The flight included 5 takeoffs, 2 were intentional. I noticed slightly different flying movements with more weight. When I tried to slow too quickly or stop to hover, sometimes the Drone did not recover angle quick enough in the windy conditions today. Yesterdays flight w/new battery was more forgiving with less wind. The new battery fits ok, but the velcro battery restraining strap just fits. I did not have to modify the hull to fit over the taller battery. The stock drone battery is 1000mah and weight is about 100 grams. The new battery is 2200mah and weight is about 160 grams.
The extra flying time is great, and the upgrade is more economical then stock battery.

@SteveS The new battery looks like it would be a useful investment. I've debated whether it would be worthwhile to do for mine. The fact ARC can work with the Parrot drone has renewed my interest in it. Thing is, I don't know how to get it into client mode to be able to work with my PC. I've read it can be done but it doesn't seem to be an easy or straightforward process. I may have to finally break down and get a laptop just to be able to run ARC to fly the drone. Especially inside.

Anyway, thanks for the information about the battery.

That looks good. I actually have the Power Edition drone which has 2 1500 mah batteries that are close to the same size of the original 1000 mah. They are supposed to get 18 minutes of flight time, but I found it was closer to 15 minutes before adding the flight recorder (gps). I get 10-12 with it installed, but it fits without modifying the hull. The Turnigy plus the flight recorder I would need to modify or remove the hull.

I too see some performance issues when adding the weight of the flight recorder. Need to be careful with tight turns at speed at less than 3 meters altitude because it dives pretty hard during turns, particularly right turns and I have bounced off the ground more than once (in fact, I need a new cross member soon because one of the feet is broken).

Alan

WBS00001, I am satisfied with the extended flight time, keeping looking at battery usage indicator, surprised how it holds longer. Flying again late afternoon, with less wind, the drone flew great, and never stalled from too much angle. To connect your drone to a pc or windows tablet, power up your drone by connecting battery, disconnect your pc from your WiFi, AR Drone will send its WiFi I.D.drone, click on that to connect to the drones signal. With ARC open to a Drone file, look for the connect button on the right side of the drone movement panel. (That is the final connection, Do Not use the usual connection button at the top left of ARC). I have used "Free Flight Windows" on my little Acer W3, but not as smooth as IOS "Free Flight" for me. Steve S

Alan, Are you happy with the flight recorder option, and is that required to use Qgroundcontrol? Have you used any other apps? Steve S

I think it is worth the cost. It is needed for qgroundcontrol. That allows it to be 100% autonomous.

The Parrot app you can program a path on the map, but if it flies out of wifi range it just returns home instead of completing the plan. But that feature alone is pretty awesome.

I have Ar.pro which is a bit more capable on android than Parrot Freeflight, but I haven't flown with it yet.

Unfortunately a lot of the current development is being done on the more expensive 3dr and DJI drones which are more developer friendly than Parrot and I have seen a lot of promising apps get abandoned before they became useable.

Alan