Alternatives to Raspis

[seandepagnier]

A similar to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9QuWKvwhN4
https://github.com/yOyOeK1/oiyshTerminal

at least oiysh has source code.


It seems interesting but there are some issues:

1)  no source code..  we can't collaborate to improve it.
2)  using internal phone sensors means the results will widely vary across device.. difficult to quantify, and many phones do not have compass sensors
3)  using android, I dont know if you can ensure realtime.    I think there must be more lag from measurement to update also with a wireless link, perhaps milliseconds difference but it matters more as boats are smaller or faster.
4)  rely on android calibration algorithm..  pypilot is optimized to calibrate the compass on a boat and calibrate and compensate other sensors as well.

Autopilots will range in performance

•   not good enough
  
•  adequate useful performance
  
• ....
  
• pypilot
  
• ...
  
• ideal performance
  

So android phone can be shown to have adequate useful performance in nice conditions which already makes it very useful, but even then delayed reaction may lead to less efficient sailing or more wear on the motor, steering and even sails.   For example,  using elastic from jib sheet to tiller also can steer most boats on most courses and conditions, but the miles traveled per day is lower and the chafe of the sail and lines will be higher.

Eventually maybe even run pypilot on the phone with the understanding of limitations, and   python can certainly run on android.   
Keep watching this space as more development occurs.