Cherry-pick of ab28cb7 onto main (was missing from main branch history). Python: - arautopilot/core/sensor_config.py: RudderSensorConfig + DualRudderSensorConfig (AS5048A SPI / potentiometer, dual with cross-validation thresholds) - arautopilot/core/vessel_config.py: add sensors: DualRudderSensorConfig field - arautopilot/studio/compiler/appack.py: .appack compiler (ZIP with manifest.json + project.yaml + firmware_config.h + install_notes.txt) - arautopilot/studio/editors/project_editor.py: full project config editor (vessel / actuator / sensors / PID, RBAC-gated fields, save/load .yaml/.json) - arautopilot/studio/main_window.py: wire ProjectEditorWidget into Project tab - tests: test_sensor_config.py (11 tests) + test_appack_compiler.py (10 tests) Firmware: - hal/rudder_actuator_iface.h: IRudderActuator abstract interface - hal/rudder_actuator_hydraulic.h: reversible hydraulic pump (LEDC PWM) - hal/rudder_actuator_electric.h: reversible DC motor + deadband compensation - hal/rudder_actuator_factory.h: build-time type selection via AR_ACTUATOR_TYPE Tests: 483 passed (was 462, +21 Sprint 4) Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
AR-Autopilot
Professional marine autopilot for vessels in the 30-40 m range (motor yachts, motor sailboats, fishing vessels, small ferries, coastal patrol boats).
Part of the AR Suite alongside AR-ECDIS, VMS-Sailor, AR-ShipDesign, AR-ElecArrangement, and AR-StabCol. Sold standalone or bundled with AR-ECDIS.
NOT Dynamic Positioning. NOT joystick docking. This is a classic heading-and-track autopilot with intelligent drift compensation, controlling rudder actuators (hydraulic or electric).
Status
Sprint 0 — Foundations (in progress).
This sprint delivers the repository structure, core data model, seed library, and a passing test suite. No functional firmware, Studio GUI, or display yet — those start in Sprint 1.
See docs/AR_Autopilot_brief.md for the complete project brief, scope, and roadmap.
Components
| Component | Tech | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
Studio (arautopilot/studio/) |
Python 3.11 + PySide6 | Project configurator (integrator-side, not shipped to customers). Generates per-vessel .appack packages |
Firmware (firmware/ar_autopilot_v1/) |
C++ on ESP32 via PlatformIO | Real-time PID control, NMEA 2000 + Modbus, safety logic. Runs on the AR-NMEA-IO v1.0 board (shared with VMS-Sailor) |
Display (display/) |
Flutter Desktop (Win + Linux) | Dedicated bridge cockpit-feel touch display with rotary knob input |
Core models (arautopilot/core/) |
Pydantic v2 | Shared data model (vessel config, PID config, actuator config, alarms, modes, knob state) |
Library (arautopilot/library/) |
YAML + JSON | Curated seed: actuator profiles, default tunings per vessel type |
Requirements
- Python 3.11 or newer
- Git
- (Later sprints) PlatformIO, Flutter SDK, WiX Toolset
Quick start (Sprint 0)
# Create venv and install
python -m venv .venv
.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
python -m pip install -U pip
pip install -e ".[dev]"
# Run tests
pytest
# Run the Sprint 0 demo (creates, saves, reloads a project config)
python examples/sprint0_demo.py
Repository layout
AR-Autopilot/
├── arautopilot/ # Python package (core models, library, studio stubs, tests)
├── firmware/ # ESP32 firmware (Sprint 1+; only pinout.h in Sprint 0)
├── display/ # Flutter dedicated display (Sprint 4+)
├── examples/ # Runnable demos
├── docs/ # Brief + per-sprint design docs
├── installer/ # WiX MSI scripts (later)
└── tools/ # Helper scripts (later)
See docs/architecture.md for a one-page architecture overview.
Sprint roadmap
| Sprint | Focus |
|---|---|
| 0 | Foundations: repo structure, core data model, seed library, tests |
| 1 | Firmware base (I/O, Modbus, NMEA 2000 read, STANDBY mode) |
| 2 | PID inner loop (rudder position control) |
| 3 | PID outer loop + Heading Hold (with ROT feed-forward & gain scheduling) |
| 4 | Studio + basic dedicated display |
| 5 | True Course + Track Keeping (smooth XTE correction) |
| 6 | Safety, alarms, NMEA 2000 publish, VMS alarm consumption |
| 7 | Knob + commissioning + offline auto-tuning |
| 8 | EKF + adaptive tuning + telemetry + VPN |
| 9 | Hardening + integrated testing |
| 10+ | Phase 2 (wind modes for sailboats) and beyond |
Full detail in the brief.
License
Proprietary. All rights reserved. See LICENSE.txt.
Commercial deployment requires a per-vessel license bound to the installation HWID. Contact alro65@gmail.com for licensing.