We are currently producing our own autopilot system, initially to be used for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). Purpose? Primarily for survival, and seeding funds for our ultimate goal – the Google Lunar X-Prize. Although we could easily purchase it off the shelf, however, an open source autopilot system definitely cannot be purchased and of course, the cost involved in purchasing it. Hence our desire to produce it ourselves.
Another test of resilience. None of us in Independence-X has any formal training on programming. We have an Aeronautical Engineer, a Structural Engr, a Marketing Guru, a Propulsion Si-Fu, etc. but none have programming experience. Rather than sitting down and complaining, we have gone ahead, borrowing programming books, and back to basics. Sure its taken us much longer than anticipated, but we’re nearly there. The integration of the system with the electronics & mechanics are another challenge but nevertheless, we’re a bunch of lunar-tics. :-)