PX4-Autopilot is an open-source autopilot system for drones and other unmanned vehicles. It provides a flexible and powerful platform for controlling various types of autonomous vehicles, including multicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and ground vehicles. The project is widely used in both research and commercial applications.

Pros

• Highly customizable and adaptable to various vehicle types and configurations
• Large and active community, providing support and continuous development
• Extensive documentation and integration with popular ground control stations
• Supports a wide range of hardware components and sensors

Cons

• Steep learning curve for beginners due to its complexity
• Requires significant technical knowledge to fully utilize and customize
• Some users report occasional stability issues with certain hardware configurations
• Limited support for some niche or specialized vehicle types

Code Examples

// Example 1: Setting up a simple waypoint mission
#include <px4_msgs/msg/vehicle_command.hpp>

// Create a waypoint command
vehicle_command_s cmd{};
cmd.command = vehicle_command_s::VEHICLE_CMD_NAV_WAYPOINT;
cmd.param5 = latitude;  // Latitude in degrees
cmd.param6 = longitude; // Longitude in degrees
cmd.param7 = altitude;  // Altitude in meters

// Publish the command
_vehicle_command_pub.publish(cmd);

// Example 2: Reading sensor data
#include <px4_msgs/msg/sensor_combined.hpp>

void sensor_callback(const sensor_combined_s& msg)
{
    float accel_x = msg.accelerometer_m_s2[0];
    float gyro_x = msg.gyro_rad[0];
    // Process sensor data
}

// Subscribe to sensor data
_sensor_sub = create_subscription<sensor_combined_s>("sensor_combined", 10, sensor_callback);

// Example 3: Arming the vehicle
#include <px4_msgs/msg/vehicle_command.hpp>

vehicle_command_s arm_cmd{};
arm_cmd.command = vehicle_command_s::VEHICLE_CMD_COMPONENT_ARM_DISARM;
arm_cmd.param1 = 1.0f; // 1 to arm, 0 to disarm
arm_cmd.target_system = 1;
arm_cmd.target_component = 1;

_vehicle_command_pub.publish(arm_cmd);

Getting Started

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/PX4/PX4-Autopilot.git
   cd PX4-Autopilot
   

2. Install dependencies:

   bash ./Tools/setup/ubuntu.sh
   

3. Build for a specific target (e.g., px4_fmu-v5):

   make px4_fmu-v5
   

4. Upload firmware to the flight controller:

   make px4_fmu-v5 upload
   

For more detailed instructions and configuration options, refer to the official PX4 documentation.