ArduPilot is an autonomous vehicle autopilot software platform designed to manage navigation, stabilization, and mission execution for aerial, ground, and marine vehicles. It functions as a comprehensive flight controller that utilizes a real-time operating system kernel to manage concurrent control loops, sensor fusion, and state-based logic for diverse operational modes.
The system distinguishes itself through a modular hardware abstraction layer that decouples navigation logic from specific sensor drivers and microcontroller architectures. It employs a message-oriented telemetry protocol to facilitate communication between the vehicle and ground stations, while an event-driven watchdog system continuously monitors health metrics to trigger automated recovery procedures during critical failures.
The platform provides a broad capability surface for unmanned system operations, including the execution of scripted navigation missions and the coordination of multi-axis payload stabilization for imaging. It also includes integrated systems for streaming real-time status metrics and recording high-fidelity telemetry data to support post-mission performance analysis.
