PX4 & ArduPilot
Development Services

When to bring in an autopilot development team

This service is for drone manufacturers, robotics startups and research teams that need more than an off-the-shelf flight controller configuration. Typical starting points include a custom board, an unsupported sensor, an existing firmware branch or an operator workflow that needs changes across the vehicle and ground station.

For a new platform, the first discussion should connect the intended mission with the airframe, avionics, sensors and available engineering evidence. For an existing platform, share the reproducible problem and the current hardware and software versions. This helps separate configuration work from driver development, board integration and wider system changes.

Define the engineering boundary before development

An autopilot change rarely sits in isolation. A sensor integration can involve the electrical connection, driver, timestamps, data quality, telemetry and the operator display. A custom flight controller introduces its own power, interface and bring-up questions. Ground station changes need a defined relationship with the vehicle firmware.

We discuss these dependencies as part of the project scope. State which parts your team owns, which parts need external support and how changes will be reviewed. Hardware availability, access to the existing code and the intended test environment affect what can be agreed.

Agree useful deliverables

Depending on the engagement, the scope can cover an integration review, firmware or driver changes, interface documentation, a ground control workflow, test records and handover notes. Agree source access, build instructions, version control, ownership and acceptance criteria in writing before implementation.

We do not treat a software demonstration as evidence of aircraft certification or an unrestricted operating envelope. Validation needs to be matched to the particular hardware, vehicle and intended application.

What to include in your enquiry

• Vehicle type and the task it needs to perform.
• Flight controller model or custom board status, connected sensors and companion computer.
• PX4 or ArduPilot version, existing modifications and ground station software.
• The missing capability or integration issue, with a short non-confidential description.
• Desired handover, available hardware and target development milestone.

See our firmware and device driver portfolio and VTOL UAV engineering work. If your challenge spans electronics and firmware, review our embedded systems service. Prepare a scope using the UAV development brief checklist.