Software development for an UAV - Track, recognise, and call for help. - Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]

Hi, we're currently working on a project where we would fly an UAV above some hills, and country side, and look for people in trouble, then call the "base" with the GPS coordinates, snapshot, and a couple of other info.
And since it's a university project, we need to keep the costs down. Hence why the following question.
Do you guys thing it would be possible to use an Android phone as a sort of "relay", where we would send a photo from a DSLR, get the phone to record a GPS coordinate as it receives the photo, and then send all of the data through a 3G connection every, say 1, or 2 seconds ?
Sounds like a simple thing, reasonably cheap (certainly in comparison to the other available options, such as sending data through a satelite, or a relay on the ground, or even more expensive - developing the whole system on our own)
This is only a simplified info on the project we are working on. The whole thing is a bit more complicated, but this is what we want to know from the Android side of things. Is this possible?
If so, has anyone already done that?a
Would we need rooting for that?
And possibly, what phone/tablet would we need for this?

Related

GPS software with Speed Logging and Replay

I'm trying to find a gps app to run on my Raphael that is capable of recording/logging a trip including timestamps.
I want to be able to replay the trip precisely, preferably on the phone, but if absolutely necessary I'd be willing to replay it on a laptop computer (I have a macbook pro and am running windows vista in a virtual machine) and logically I can replay it from a website as well.
Specifically, I want to be able to replay this in a courtroom in front of a judge, but I don't need to make a grand show of it (thus the reason I prefer replaying from the phone rather than carrying in a laptop).
Any advice would be great. I've considered writing my own app for this, but I really need to be able to replay the trip with graphical maps visible, which makes it more difficult to do. I've got TomTom installed already (which doesn't have this feature built-in as far as I'm aware).
tracking
I have not found a software which does what you are expecting, so I have acquired a TRACKSTICK PRO which does all what you require including tracing the trip on google earth!!
Hope this help
Chris from snowy Chamonix (France)
A completely new device, especially one without it's own ability to navigate would just add to an already excessive bunch of cables and take up a valuable power plug.
I can't figure out where or how to purchase one. The "get it now" button just takes you to a form to submit for them to call you back...This and the fact that it claims to be a "low-cost" solution makes me think that they aren't very interested in dealing with single unit sales.
Thanks for the advice, it's just not what I had in mind.
TrackMe might be what you are looking for.
bubble said:
TrackMe might be what you are looking for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This looks pretty good I think. At least it's great for tracking and exporting, at least a little easier to work with than GpsGate which appears to only do NMEA sentences and a few file formats that nothing else reads. But this still leaves me trying to find the best way to present it.
I'd still like to be able to do sort of a playback of the trip rather than just data points on a map...and I'm still holding out hope for demonstrating the trip from my phone, but I'm starting to realize that none of the major GPS nav apps seem to have this feature, or at least I haven't found proof that they do. I think iGo might have a record/playback feature, but i haven't been able to verify.

[Q] Help me pick a phone. Please.

(long post warning...I'm placing the summary first for those who don't care to read the whole thing)
***
In summary, I want a mobile platform that I can tweak until I get it exactly as I like it; that will sync with Windows desktop and server platforms (this is a strong preference, not a "must"; upon which I own things and don't have to worry about them being stolen or broken; that doesn't tell everyone and their mother where I go and what I'm doing; and on which I can listen to Sirius radio; and to which I can transfer data back and forth via USB without any permission based cloud interface. It must also be compatible with Slingplayer software and I have a strong, strong, preference for a slideout QWERTY keyboard, but I'd sacrifice that if I have to for the above functionalities. I'm currently on ATT, but it doesn't have to be that way
***
I am thinking about purchasing a new phone. But the market is a bit more complicated than when I purchased my current phone (HTC Diamond), so I hope that you guys can give me some advice.
I have been a Windows Mobile user since 5.0. What I loved about WM is that I could come here and read about the various hacks, mods, and custom roms and generally find something to address any problems I had, or find a way to modify the phone to meet my preferences.
I love the mobile version of Office and I use it constantly for work purposes. I especially like being able to sync outlook contacts on both phone and device, and that I can make presentations from the phone, and can open and manipulate Word and Excel.
I was also using SiriusXM 6 by tcbush over on Geekstoolbox to listen to satellite radio. Unfortunately, Sirius has taken down their legacy servers that streamed content to third party providers. So it does not appear that I can listen to satellite radio any longer via my mobile device.
It is this turn of events (Sirius radio) that is my main motivator for seeking a new phone. I could listen to Sirius via the web, but that requires a Flash player and I can't find a version of flash for WM 6.1. I have both Opera Mini and IE. So, if any of you know a way for a WM 6.1 device to listen to Sirius, you will have solved my immediate problem and saved me some money. I would really appreciate that.
But on the larger scale, I know that one day I will have to replace my beloved Diamond. Her slideout QWERTY is starting to jiggle, there are a few scratches on her beautiful face even though she hasn't gone a moment without a case and screen protector. Every now and again her D-Pad loses its way, and I have to reboot. Alas, I fear the end is near. *sigh*
So, in looking over the current landscape, I see three options: iphone, Android, and WM7.
Apple products to me are out for personal preference reasons.
That leaves Android and WM7.
Problem 1:
I enjoyed my prior experience of owning a WM phone supported by a network of generous, friendly developers who found ways that we could modify our phones to our hearts' content. I also like the fact that I own my phone and all its content. Once I install or tweak something, then that's it unless I decide to change it.
But the current market seems to be based on a top-down control model. From what I've read, owning a phone with the current tech is like owning a home on leasehold property or in a HOA: You pay full price for ownership but you do not enjoy the rights of control normally associated with that ownership. It seems that the devices are locked, difficult to unlock, find ways to re-lock, and that a Nanny-server may at times uninstall or disable software that it doesn't like.
I just don't get it. Has the culture embraced a model where a user pays a provider only to be told by that provider what he can and cannot do with the property he has purchased?
Of course, my perception of these issues could be incorrect. I recently went back to school and have unplugged from most external things. I haven't been following the "insider info" on xda for nearly two years. If I'm wrong, please tell me.
Problem 2:
User tracking. Sounds Orwellian.
I get it that the cell provider can locate you. I understand the technology reasonably well for regular Joe, and I understand that the network needs to know where you are. But until recently, the cell provider could not release those records without a warrant or some emergency confirmed by law enforcement like a lost person, etc. I actually worked with Sprint in conjunction with the police to attempt to track a stolen phone. However, it now appears that the manufacturers themselves and many app developers are bypassing the law by tracking users without their consent. Am I right on this?
I've read a number of articles on the Apple and Android tracking problems - generic apps tracking you and reporting your movements to Apple, Google, etc. Apps turning on the mic or camera at intervals and tracking your surroundings or conversations. Route these concerns through the awfulness of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Patriot Act, and the fact that both the post-digital presidential administrations (Bush II and Obama) seem intent on eroding what remains of our privacy, and it makes me uncomfortable. To make it worse, Google and Zuckerburg are both in bed with the Obama administration, and stories of their privacy infractions are epidemic.
Yet none of the progs I use on my WM 6.1 device use tracking (that I know of). So, in a very short time, it appears that the culture of mobile communications has gone from an ownership model with Constitutional protections to a free-for-all where you essentially pay big brother to track you.
I have heard many of my younger friends who have grown up in the big-government era use the default: "If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to worry about." But that's exactly backward. The law presumes your privacy and allows infractions only after due process. The current culture seems to presume lack of privacy, and treat privacy-seekers as an anomaly. And the tech seems to reflect the culture rather than the law.
Am I crazy? Even if I am crazy, is there a way to block this tracking? And, if so, does Android or WM7 better lend itself to blocking this tracking?
Problem 3:
USB data transfer.
WM7 doesn't support smart cards. But, the devices seem to have adequate on-board storage for my needs. However, from what I've read, I'll need to use Zune (on WM7, don't know about Android) to move data back and forth. Is that correct?
I currently use Windows Mobile Device Center to transfer files back and forth via USB or Bluetooth, and I really want to keep that functionality.
Thank you if you have read this far. And, given those criteria, what are my best options?
Droid X2. Get it.
Droid X2
Droid X2. Get it.
+1
Thanks for the responses. I've done a bit of research on the phone you recommended, and some research in general. I really need to spool back up
It looks like there are apps out there like WhisperMonitor that will help with my privacy concerns. Actually, it looks like there are Android Apps to address most of my concerns.
I'll keep researching that to determine how much functionality I'll have to sacrifice. And I appreciate the responses. Love the dual core structure of this phone. From what I've read, the benchmarks don't differ too much from single core phones, but it looks like the dual core really helps with load distribution and multi-tasking.
It will be hard to leave Windows...been with it since it was Pocket PC 2000. But atm, it appears that Android may work best for me.
I agree Droid X2, although VZW is expensive, its the best network
Off the basis of wanting a slide out QWERTY and Windows Phone 7, I would go with the HTC Arrive for Sprint. You still have Windows Phone, you can get Sling Player from the Marketplace, and it has a slide out QWERTY that when it slides out, angles the screen for better typing the way I look at it.
samsung galaxy s2
or atrix
If you QWERTY I'd wait till my4g slide if it launches with s-off. I don't imagine you'd be keeping the os in tact.
The g2 is also a beautiful phone. Amazing specs for the good hardware.
T-Mobile is also cheapest, I find, of the four carriers.
The epic 4g seemed nice. Hummingbird (Samsung 1ghz processor) is very nice and has a great gpu.
If you're looking to use google talk video chat, avoid nvidia tegra 2 chips.
Google's suite of software is pretty sweet. Google docs works nice, and there's an app for that.
As long as you download from android market you're good from malware. (If you do get it from market, google does pull the app from the store AND your phone, that's the only time I heard them doing this, and that was once instance.)
Besides... Supporting your developers is a great thing.
Did I miss anything?
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
IMO almost any of the android phones would work for what you have in mind. As you pointed out in your follow up post there are apps out there for your privacy concerns. I've had a Moto Droid and now the HTC Thunderbolt. Both have been synced with my works exchange servers with no issues, google apps work great with Office docs, and the available roms and other customizations are almost endless.
Also, don't get hung up on a QWERTY keyboard. I swore I would never have a phone without one, but now that I do I actually don't really miss it.
Edit:
USB data transfer - very simple to do with android. Install a driver for the phone and then connect to your pc with a USB cable. Your pc will recognize the sdcard as removeable storage. Just select it in My Computer and drag and drop anything you want to move like you would for moving any file around in Windows.

[Q] Galaxy Tab 2 for elderly...anyone have experiences to share?

I was wondering if anyone had experiences to share as far as customizing tablets for elderly nursing home patients?
I will be taking delivery on a Galaxy Tab 2 that will be customized as an entertainment device for an elderly person. Dementia, short term memory impairment, and total lack of computer knowledge are in the foreground. I'm not sure if this will work but it's my mother so I'm going to give it a try.
Initially I plan to start with maybe two games (solitaire and a slot machine game) and nothing else. I expect to have to flash a custom ROM to be able to hide as many non-necessary UI elements as possible. One home screen, nav bar with back button only, no lock screen, volume wake, hide the dock, etc.
If she gets comfortable with that, the addition of other elements might be possible, such as a photo album. E-mail to a couple of addresses might be possible. Web browsing is probably not ever going to be in the picture. We'll cross that bridge when we get there.
I'm comfortable with Android flashing and customization (have a GNex), and live nearby so I can maintain the tablet in person. I initially was leaning toward an iPad, but realized that this thing is going to have to be more heavily customized than I think is possible within the Apple scheme of things.
Anyone had any experiences with a situation like this?
Thanks in advance.
Elderly device with GSM
Great idea! I would like to work on this too. For my purposes I would like it to function more of a picture frame with super easy to use GSM capability. Maybe just touch the picture of the person you want to talk to to get connected over the speaker phone.

Software development for an UAV - Track, recognise, and call for help.

Hi, we're currently working on a project where we would fly an UAV above some hills, and country side, and look for people in trouble, then call the "base" with the GPS coordinates, snapshot, and a couple of other info.
And since it's a university project, we need to keep the costs down. Hence why the following question.
Do you guys thing it would be possible to use an Android phone as a sort of "relay", where we would send a photo from a DSLR, get the phone to record a GPS coordinate as it receives the photo, and then send all of the data through a 3G connection every, say 1, or 2 seconds ?
Sounds like a simple thing, reasonably cheap (certainly in comparison to the other available options, such as sending data through a satelite, or a relay on the ground, or even more expensive - developing the whole system on our own)
This is only a simplified info on the project we are working on. The whole thing is a bit more complicated, but this is what we want to know from the Android side of things. Is this possible?
If so, has anyone already done that?
Would we need rooting for that?
And possibly, what phone/tablet would we need for this?

[Q] Simvalley XT-930 GPS waypoints

Hi,
I am new to this forum. Although I have had a XDA (not sure if this forum relates to that smartphone of a decade ago), I am a consumer and no developer what so ever. I have not much technical knowlegde, so please bear with me if I don't get some things that are crystal clear to you guys. Also, my English is pretty poor.
My question: I have a Simvalley XT-930 dumbphone as a backup phone while travelling. It also has GPS and can get GPS coordinates. What I miss is an app on the phone to store and find back waypoints. I don't need anything fancy with maps or satellite photographs. An arrow pointing in the right direction, and the distance would be the major functionality I need. To find back that bus station, meeting point, parked car in a foreign city, etc.
The good thing is that the phone supports Java based apps. I tried VLKGPS 0.9.4, but it crashes because the Midlet is not supported.
Do you guys know an app with the functionality I am looking for and that would work on my phone?

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