There was an article using electrostatic charge to sense attitude several years agi in Flying Models magazine. As I remember it used radioactive sources from smoke detectors and analog electronics to do the job.

Team 190 of First Robotics used a Piezo Gyro and a 3 axis acelerometer to do full inertial navigation of the robot during autonomous mode and to add features like heading hold when controlled remotely.
Larry Nelson Sr.

> 
> From: James Humes <james.humes@gmail.com>
> Date: 2005/10/31 Mon PM 02:32:43 EST
> To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." <piclist@mit.edu>
> Subject: Re: [EE] Xtal Gyroscopes - ideas?
> 
> It was listed in [EE], so call "regular" circuits fair game:) I'd put a PIC
> in the mix given by Peter. I've heard of using resistive photocells for
> horizon detectors before, which would keep the pitch stable and then use a
> tilt sensor of some kind on the roll axis... all read in by the PIC which
> can make its decisions and output servo signals.
>  James
> 
>  On 10/31/05, Debbie <cyberia429-piclist@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
> >
> >
> > --- Peter <plp@actcom.co.il> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > Futaba, Tokin and Murata all make piezo gyros of the kind you have in
> > > mind. A simple autopilot can be built without using a computer, by just
> > > using the gyro signal to change the duty cycle of a PWM signal which
> > > directly drives a usual model servo. But since the gyro output is rate
> > > proportional a proper heading or attitude hold cannot be maintained.
> > > Iow, look for an electrolytic level sensor, a hall compass, and a
> > > barometric sensor as a better starting point for an autopilot.
> > >
> > > Peter
> > > --
> >
> > Hey Peter, but surely you're not suggesting <gasp!> ... a project
> > //without// a
> > PIC?? :))
> > Actually, thankz for the tips, guys. Hmmm. The gizmos @ www.sparkfun.com<http://www.sparkfun.com>look
> > //very// interesting.
> > Debbie
> >
> >
> >
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