Lyrebird

Lyrebird is an open-source ground-control solution for DJI drones: a lightweight Android app (Kotlin, DJI Mobile SDK V5) that runs on the RC’s Android system — built into controllers like the RC Pro and RC Plus, or on a phone connected to a non-smart controller like the RC-N3 — paired with a Python GroundStation client, ROS 2 packages, and a MediaMTX/dashboard video stack. Every aircraft speaks MAVLink 2 by default — the lightweight wire QGroundControl, MAVSDK, and pymavlink already know — alongside HTTP + TCP, also on by default, kept for compatibility with this project’s predecessor WildBridge and as the API for what MAVLink doesn’t cover (media, AI detections, live settings). Pick either, or use both — no DJI SDK required.

Multi-drone setup: each RC runs Lyrebird and exposes a MAVLink 2 vehicle (UDP 14550), HTTP commands (port 8080), TCP telemetry (port 8081), discovery, and WHIP/WHEP video publishing through MediaMTX.

Explore the docs

Getting StartedInstall the app on your RC, build from source, and connect your first ground station.

Android AppEverything the Android app (on the RC or a connected phone) can do, and how to build, install, and run it.

Ground StationThe Python interface (DJIInterface) and the multi-drone video dashboard.

MAVLink 2Fly Lyrebird drones from QGroundControl, MAVSDK, or pymavlink — no plugin.

HTTP APIEvery control and status endpoint on port 8080, including the two-computer safety model.

TelemetryThe newline-delimited JSON stream on port 8081, field by field.

ROS 2PX4-style fmu/in/fmu/out topics per drone under dynamic namespaces, with auto-discovery launch files.

Logs & TroubleshootingFlight logging locations, common connection issues, and the project layout.

Field TestThe procedure for verifying the MAVLink implementation against a real aircraft.

Why Lyrebird?

MAVLink 2 by default, HTTP alongside it

Every aircraft is a full MAVLink 2 vehicle from boot — QGroundControl, MAVSDK, and pymavlink connect with no plugin. HTTP + TCP run alongside it, also on by default, for WildBridge compatibility and for what MAVLink doesn’t cover yet.

A complete ground segment, but never a required one

Not just an RC app: a Python GroundStation client, PX4-style ROS 2 packages, and a MediaMTX-backed multi-drone video and telemetry dashboard — all optional tooling on top of the same MAVLink/HTTP wires a custom application can talk to directly.

Multi-drone by design

Several aircraft coexist on one LAN. Auto-discovery finds each drone, and ROS namespaces follow the drone’s own name.

Two-computer safety

A Safety Computer can seize command authority from the Pilot Computer at any time, and only it can hand control back.

Mission-proven

Zebra herd monitoring, wildfire detection (XPRIZE Wildfire finalist), and wind-field profiling.