All work · Open source
Ghost GCS
A ground control station for ArduPilot drones and rovers, with an AI copilot that plans missions from plain English.
Open source · Worldwide
The problem and context
A ground-control interface needs to turn vehicle telemetry into something a pilot can reason about. The project adds a mission editor and an advisory AI layer while keeping flight commands deliberate.
Who uses it
- Developers and pilots experimenting with ArduPilot copter/rover simulation
- People reviewing an open-source mission-planning implementation
What was built
- MAVLink telemetry, live map and instruments
- Mission editor with survey grids
- Safety watchdog for battery, GPS and link
How it works
- Connect the MAVLink bridge to an ArduPilot vehicle or SITL simulation.
- Read map, instrument and status telemetry in the browser.
- Draw waypoints or a survey polygon, review the generated mission and explicitly upload/start it.
- Ask the copilot about telemetry or request a mission draft; the human reviews the draft before it becomes a flight mission.
How the system fits together
- Next.js/React and MapLibre render the map, instruments and mission interface.
- A TypeScript/Node bridge transports MAVLink messages over WebSockets.
- ArduPilot SITL provides the exercised vehicle environment.
- A headless Claude Code process supplies advisory explanations and mission drafts; a separate rules watchdog highlights link, battery and GPS concerns.
Technology stack
Delivery and current status
- Open-source repository linked for code review.
- Telemetry, flight controls, mission editing and copilot paths are implemented and exercised against simulation.
- The case study does not claim real-aircraft certification or flight testing.
Evidence
- Mission editor and advisory copilot implemented
- Telemetry and mission flows exercised against ArduPilot SITL
Scope and operating limits
- The watchdog and copilot advise; ArduPilot’s own failsafes remain authoritative.
- Simulation evidence does not establish safety for a real aircraft.
- Arm/mode changes and mission upload/start remain deliberate operator actions.