<img src="assets/banner_section_1.png" alt="Langostino — open autonomous drone" width="100%" /> <h1 align="center">Langostino — The Swarm Drone</h1> Open-source AI autopilot for the real world: understand it, build it, and fly it. An open-source autonomous flight reference platform, built with a global community.  <a href="https://github.com/swarm-subnet/Langostino/stargazers"> <img alt="GitHub Stars" src="https://img.shields.io/github/stars/swarm-subnet/Langostino?style=flat-square" /> </a> <a href="LICENSE.md"> <img alt="License: MIT" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-yellow?style=flat-square" /> </a> <img alt="Version" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Version-v1.0.0-black?style=flat-square" /> <a href="https://discord.gg/txzvKMSd"> <img alt="Discord" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Discord-Join-5865F2?style=flat-square" /> </a>  <a href="docs/assembly/README.md"> <img alt="Build from scratch" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Build%20from%20scratch-Guide-111111?style=for-the-badge" /> </a>   <a href="docs/SETUP_GUIDE.md#quick-setup"> <img alt="Use the model" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Use%20the%20model-Start%20here-111111?style=for-the-badge" /> </a>  <details> <summary>Table of Contents</summary> <ol> <li><a href="#see-it-in-action">See It In Action</a></li> <li><a href="#about-the-project">About The Project</a></li> <li><a href="#getting-started">Getting Started</a></li> <li><a href="#flight-plan">Flight Plan</a></li> <li><a href="#deep-dive-articles">Deep Dive Articles</a></li> <li><a href="#documentation">Documentation</a></li> <li><a href="#project-structure">Project Structure</a></li> <li><a href="#community">Community</a></li> <li><a href="#faq">FAQ</a></li> <li><a href="#share-pack">Share Pack</a></li> <li><a href="#license">License</a></li> </ol> </details>

See It In Action

Assemble the drone and fly it autonomously

"Build from scratch" drone holding its position <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gf9mxroeurU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/gf9mxroeurU/maxresdefault.jpg" alt="Langostino position hold - click to watch" width="720" loading="lazy" /> </a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gf9mxroeurU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Watch%20on-YouTube-FF0000?style=for-the-badge&logo=youtube&logoColor=white" alt="Watch on YouTube" /> </a> Fly it and improve it! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTTbhE_WiQQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/hTTbhE_WiQQ/maxresdefault.jpg" alt="Fly it and improve it - click to watch" width="720" loading="lazy" /> </a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTTbhE_WiQQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Watch%20on-YouTube-FF0000?style=for-the-badge&logo=youtube&logoColor=white" alt="Watch on YouTube" /> </a>

Do it yourself, from ZERO!

Example of what you will be building <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgdND4LXlIA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/jgdND4LXlIA/maxresdefault.jpg" alt="Langostino real flight — click to watch" width="720" loading="lazy" /> </a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgdND4LXlIA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Watch%20on-YouTube-FF0000?style=for-the-badge&logo=youtube&logoColor=white" alt="Watch on YouTube" /> </a> If this made you curious, star the repo and share the demo. (<a href="#readme-top">back to top</a>)

About The Project

Langostino is an open-source reference drone for real-world autonomous flight — designed to be easy to understand, build, and extend.

A practical AI autopilot project focused on flying in the real world (not a black box)
A complete reference platform: code, docs, and a clear path from "zero" to "first flight"
Made to be adapted: use it as a starting point for your own drone and your own experiments
Community-driven: built in the open, improved by builders and contributors worldwide

Why It Matters

Autonomous drones shouldn't feel like magic or closed black boxes. Langostino exists to make real-world autonomy understandable and buildable — so more people can learn, iterate, and ship useful aerial systems.

By sharing a reference drone in the open, we lower the barrier from "curious" to "first flight", and turn progress into something the whole community can reuse.

Built With

(<a href="#readme-top">back to top</a>)

Getting Started

[!CAUTION] ⚠️ Langostino is a real flying machine.

Follow local regulations

Test in a safe environment responsibly and keep propellers off during bench tests.

Drones can cause injury and property damage.

Use prop guards and appropriate failsafes

Pick what you want to do next — you don't need to be an expert to start.

<table> <tr> <td width="50%" valign="top"> <h4>I'm just curious</h4> <ul> <li>Watch the demo (above)</li> <li>Star this repo</li> <li>Share it with a friend</li> </ul> </td> <td width="50%" valign="top"> <h4>I want to build it from scratch</h4> <a href="docs/assembly/README.md">Assembly Guide</a> Includes the parts list (BOM) and step-by-step build instructions. </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" valign="top"> <h4>I want to use the model</h4> <a href="docs/SETUP_GUIDE.md#quick-setup">Setup Guide → Quick Setup</a> </td> <td width="50%" valign="top"> <h4>I want to contribute</h4> <ul> <li>Join <a href="https://discord.gg/txzvKMSd">Discord</a></li> <li>Read <a href="CONTRIBUTING.md">CONTRIBUTING.md</a></li> <li>Pick a <a href="https://github.com/swarm-subnet/Langostino/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3A%22good+first+issue%22">good first issue</a></li> </ul> </td> </tr> </table> (<a href="#readme-top">back to top</a>)

Flight Plan

Your path from zero to first flight:

Get the parts — Use the BOM as your shopping list to source every component.
Assemble the airframe — Follow the build guide step-by-step. Build guide →
Install, then wire it up — Follow the quickstart checklist step by step. Quickstart →
Troubleshooting — Diagnose setup, hardware, and runtime issues quickly with step-by-step checks. Troubleshooting guide →
Go outside & share — Short flight, record a clip, star the repo, post your build. Join Discord →

Want the bigger picture? See the <a href="https://swarm124.com/decentralized-training">Swarm roadmap →</a> (<a href="#readme-top">back to top</a>)

Deep Dive Articles

Want to understand the project in depth? Check out our Substack series that walks through every aspect of building and flying Langostino.

| Chapter | Topic | Description | |---------|-------|-------------| | [Chapter 1][chapter-1-url] | Inside the Drone | Hardware components and drone anatomy | | [Chapter 2][chapter-2-url] | The Wiring Brain | Wiring, connections, and power distribution | | [Chapter 3][chapter-3-url] | From Data to Motion | Software architecture and data flow | | [Chapter 3.5][chapter-3.5-url] | Additional Configurations | Advanced configuration and tuning |

(<a href="#readme-top">back to top</a>)

Documentation

Find detailed guides for every aspect of the project.

| Category | Document | Description | |----------|----------|-------------| | Building | Assembly Guide | Complete build guide from parts to first flight | | | Bill of Materials | Full parts list with purchase links | | INAV | INAV Configuration | Flight controller setup, PID tuning, MSP configuration | | ROS2 | Setup Guide | Ubuntu + ROS2 Humble installation on Raspberry Pi | | | Commands Guide | ROS2 commands and no

Langostino

Install / Use

README