NavQ

NavQ Linux companion computer platform with Vision for Mobile Robotics based on NXP i.MX 8M Mini SOC. Found at: https://nxp.gitbook.io/8mmnavq/

NavQ was used in HoverGames2 program and this document is supporting information. However it was not commercialized. The NavQPlus (NavQ+) is the replacement upgraded version of NavQ available on NXP.com and through global distributors.

Note that some software and information here is still completely relevant to NavQPlus NavQ may also be referred to as: 8MMNavQ, MR-8MMNavQ or RDDRONE-8MMNavQ

NavQ Mounted on HoverGames drone

Also take a look at some of our other Gitbooks:

• 8M Plus NavQ - newer supported version, available on NXP.com

• HoverGames challenges

• HoverGames Drone

• NXP Cup - car/buggy racing series

• UCANS32K146 UAVCAN/CAN Node

• UCANS32K UAVCAN Node

• RDDRONE-BMS772 Battery Management System

The 8MMNavQ is a small purpose built experimental Linux computer based on the NXP i.MX 8M Mini SOC. It is focused on the common needs of Mobile Robotics systems.

The system is built as a stack of boards, the top board being a SOM (system on module) containing the Processor, memory and other components with strict layout requirements, and where the secondary boards are relatively inexpensive (often 4 layer boards) and allows for versions with customization to be easily built.

This is a new set of boards and software enablement and will undergo several iterations. Our intent is to provide a "friendly Linux" with typical packages and additional tools included rather than the typical highly optimized and stripped down Linux found in deeply embedded products.

Please check for Linux updates regularly. Feedback and needs will be incorporated and updated as much as possible and reasonable.

There is a discussion forum here for questions specifically about NavQ

And a general HoverGames forum here.

The 8MMNavQ features:

1. NXP i.MX 8M Mini SOM with LPDDR4 DRAM and eMMC Flash.

2. A secondary board with SDCARD, Networking, MIPI-CSI (Camera) and MIPI-DSI (Display) interfaces

   • MIPI-DSI to HDMI converter

   • A Google Coral camera module

3. A third HGI (HoverGames Interposer board) with common interfaces and specific drone and rover interfaces which follow PX4 standards.

Applications

The NavQ is suitable for many purposes, including generic robots and various vision systems.

• Drones, QuadCopters, Unmanned Aircraft, VTOL

• Rovers

• Road going Delivery Vehicles

• Robotic Lawnmowers

• Robotic Vacuum

• Flying vehicles (PX4)

• DIYRobotCars

• Marine vessels

• Camera and Vision processing modules

• Time of Flight (TOF) Cameras

• AI/ML inference

• Cellular gateway

• Vision systems in other applications

  • e.g a hospital bed monitor that detects if a patient is sitting up or at risk of falling out of bed.

Two specific complete developer tool examples are the NXP HoverGames Drone, and the NXP-CUP car.

The NavQ was prepared with the intention of working with and supporting the NXP HoverGames Drone program

Software

The intent of the 8MMNavQ in HoverGames is to enable participants with a solution that allows them to harness common robotics packages and libraries such as:

• ROS

• OpenCV

• GStreamer

• Tensorflow

• pyeIQ

• And more!

The 8MMNavQ runs linux with a package manager, so you should be able to install the packages that you need to complete your projects successfully and efficiently.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.