Initial Setup & Configuration

We recommend that developers obtain the basic equipment and software described below (or similar)

Basic Equipment

TIP

PX4 can be used with a much wider range of equipment than described here, but new developers will benefit from going with one of the standard setups. A Taranis RC and a mid-range Android tablet make a very inexpensive field kit.

The equipment below is highly recommended:

• RC controller for the safety pilot

  • Taranis Plus RC control (or equivalent)

• Development computer

  INFO

  The listed computers have acceptable performance, but a more recent and powerful computer is recommended.

  • Lenovo Thinkpad with i5-core running Windows 11
  • MacBook Pro (early 2015 and later) with macOS 10.15 or later
  • Lenovo Thinkpad i5 with Ubuntu Linux 20.04 or later

• Ground control station (computer or tablet):

  • iPad (may require Wifi telemetry adapter)
  • Any MacBook or Ubuntu Linux laptop (can be the development computer)
  • A recent mid-range Android tablet or phone with a large enough screen to run QGroundControl effectively (6 inches).

• Vehicle capable of running PX4:

  • Get a prebuilt vehicle
  • Build your own

• Safety glasses

• Tether (multicopter only - for more risky tests)

Vehicle Configuration

Install the QGroundControl Daily Build for a desktop OS.

To configure the vehicle:

1. Install PX4 firmware (including "custom" firmware with your own changes).
2. Start with the airframe that best-matches your vehicle from the airframe reference.
3. Basic Configuration explains how to perform basic configuration.
4. Parameter Configuration explains how you can find and modify individual parameters.

INFO

• QGroundControl mobile variants do not support vehicle configuration.
• The daily build includes development tools and new features that are not available in the official release.
• Configuration in the airframe reference have been flown on real vehicles, and are a good starting point for "getting off the ground".