Development

This section explains how to support new vehicle types and variants, modify flight algorithms, add new modes, integrate new hardware, and communicate with PX4 from outside the flight controller.

:::tip This section is for software developers and (new) hardware integrators. It is not needed if you're building an existing airframe or flying using a PX4 vehicle. :::

It explains how to:

• Get a minimum developer setup, build PX4 from source and deploy on numerous supported autopilots.

• Understand the PX4 System Architecture and other core concepts.

• Learn how to modify the flight stack and middleware:

  • Modify flight algorithms and add new flight modes.

  • Support new airframes.

• Learn how to integrate PX4 with new hardware:

  • Support new sensors and actuators, including cameras, rangefinders, etc.

  • Modify PX4 to run on new autopilot hardware.

• Simulate, test and debug/log PX4.

• Communicate/integrate with external robotics APIs.

Key Developer Links

• Support: Get help using the discussion boards and other support channels.

• Weekly Dev Call: A great opportunity to meet the PX4 dev team and discuss platform technical details (including pull requests, major issues, general Q&A).

• Licences: What you can do with the code (free to use and modify under terms of the permissive BSD 3-clause license!)

• Contributing: How to work with our source code.