Project Overview
DroneOS is a framework for autonomous drone control built on ROS 2 and PX4 Autopilot. PX4 already publishes raw topics via DDS — you could control drones directly by publishing to /fmu/in/trajectory_setpoint. This project provides the developer-friendly abstraction layer on top.
Remote Control via 4G/VPN
FastDDS discovery server configuration for WAN connectivity using Tailscale.
Containerized Deployment
Docker Compose setup for both SITL development and production on Raspberry Pi.
Web Interface + AI Agent
React UI with rosbridge WebSocket for telemetry. Experimental natural language control.
This is experimental, work-in-progress code. See the GitHub README for setup instructions.
Repository Structure
drone_core
C++ library and ROS 2 node providing high-level drone control APIs for arming, takeoff, landing, and position control.
drone_gcs_cli
Python command-line interface for interacting with drone_core. Supports both SITL and real drone deployments.
web_interface
React/TypeScript web UI with real-time telemetry via rosbridge WebSocket. Includes experimental AI agent integration.
camera_ros
ROS 2 camera node using libcamera for Raspberry Pi camera modules. Streams video via web_video_server.
Micro-XRCE-DDS-Agent
Bridges PX4 (running XRCE-DDS client) to the ROS 2 DDS network over serial or UDP.
The Command Center: Ground Station UI
The Ground Station UI is the web-based command center for DroneOS. It provides a comprehensive interface for operators to plan missions, monitor real-time flight data, and control UAV operations from anywhere with an internet connection.
– Real-time Telemetry
Live maps, video feeds, and system health monitoring.
– Interactive Mission Planning
Under DevelopmentCreate, upload, and manage complex missions with a few clicks.
– Secure Control
Role-based access and encrypted communication for safe operations.
Get Started
DroneOS runs on the companion computer (Raspberry Pi), not the flight controller. The GitHub README includes setup instructions for both SITL development and real drone deployment.