Uploaded December 2019 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The FlySky FS-i6 is a popular and affordable radio control transmitter unit often used for RC planes, drones etc., and is also suitable for real-time animatronic control. It can be bought for around $40, complete with the updated FS-i6B receiver from banggood.com/custlink/vDKDONmsnv
The transmitter has a total of 10 user inputs:
- 2x horizontal/vertical sticks
- 3x 2-position toggles
- 1x 3-position toggle
- 2x rotary dials
Even though it has 10 inputs, the default installed firmware only allows you to use 6 of those channels - the horizontal and vertical axes of the two sticks are always assigned to channels 1-4, while any two of the switches or dials can be assigned through the controller menu to channels 5-6.
In this video I'll describe how you can flash a new firmware onto the transmitter unit which broadcasts all 10 channel inputs. I'll also show how you can then read all 10 channels from the iBus interface of a FS-iA6B receiver, requiring only a single GPIO pin on an Arduino. So, simpler wiring, more functionality, and ideal for analogue remote control of animatronics or other any Arduino projects!
Wiring diagrams, code, and flashing software available at github.com/playfultechnology/arduino-animatronic
Part of my Escape Room Tech Advent Calender for 2019!
For my Escape Room tech projects, see patreon.com/playfultech
The FlySky FS-i6 is a popular and affordable radio control transmitter unit often used for RC planes, drones etc., and is also suitable for real-time animatronic control. It can be bought for around $40, complete with the updated FS-i6B receiver from banggood.com/custlink/vDKDONmsnv
The transmitter has a total of 10 user inputs:
- 2x horizontal/vertical sticks
- 3x 2-position toggles
- 1x 3-position toggle
- 2x rotary dials
Even though it has 10 inputs, the default installed firmware only allows you to use 6 of those channels - the horizontal and vertical axes of the two sticks are always assigned to channels 1-4, while any two of the switches or dials can be assigned through the controller menu to channels 5-6.
In this video I'll describe how you can flash a new firmware onto the transmitter unit which broadcasts all 10 channel inputs. I'll also show how you can then read all 10 channels from the iBus interface of a FS-iA6B receiver, requiring only a single GPIO pin on an Arduino. So, simpler wiring, more functionality, and ideal for analogue remote control of animatronics or other any Arduino projects!
Wiring diagrams, code, and flashing software available at github.com/playfultechnology/arduino-animatronic
Part of my Escape Room Tech Advent Calender for 2019!
For my Escape Room tech projects, see patreon.com/playfultech
