mavlink/MAVSDK

API and library for MAVLink compatible systems written in C++ 20

What it solves

MAVSDK simplifies the process of interacting with drones and unmanned vehicles by providing a high-level API for MAVLink, removing the need for developers to handle the complex, low-level MAVLink protocol directly.

How it works

It uses a C++ core library to handle basic MAVLink communication and feature-specific plugins. To support multiple programming languages, it implements a gRPC server that allows clients (such as Python, Swift, and Java) to connect and interact with the drone using idiomatic patterns and syntax for their respective languages.

Who it’s for

It is designed for developers building software for drones and robotics who need a cross-platform, lightweight, and easy-to-use interface to control MAVLink-compliant vehicles.

Highlights

  • Cross-platform support: Works on Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android.
  • Multi-language clients: Offers libraries for Python, Swift, Java, and others via gRPC.
  • Flexible API: Supports both synchronous (blocking) and asynchronous (callback-based) API calls.
  • Extensible: Allows for custom extensions through the MavlinkDirect plugin.

Related

  • Project
    mavlink/mavlink

    A lightweight, header-only message marshalling library for efficient communication between drones and ground control stations.

  • Project
    ArduPilot/pymavlink

    A Python implementation of the MAVLink protocol used for communicating with unmanned vehicles, including tools for flight log analysis and a multi-language source code generator.

  • Project
    mavlink/qgroundcontrol

    A cross-platform ground control station for UAVs that provides flight control, mission planning, and vehicle setup for MAVLink-enabled drones.

  • Project
    mavlink/mavros

    A MAVLink-to-ROS 2 bridge that allows developers to program drones using ROS 2 topics and services instead of the low-level MAVLink protocol.

  • Project
    RoboDK/RoboDK-API

    A multi-language API for industrial robot simulation and offline programming that allows developers to program any industrial robot arm using universal languages instead of vendor-specific ones.