Quick Answer
CubePilot makes the Cube autopilot system, a modular flight controller platform built around a standard form factor. It runs ArduPilot or PX4 and is widely used in professional surveying, mapping, inspection, and autonomous drone applications. The system separates the autopilot module from carrier boards, GPS units, and power modules, letting builders swap components without replacing the entire controller.
What is CubePilot?
CubePilot is an Australian company that designs and manufactures the Cube autopilot family. The Cube (originally known as Pixhawk 2) is an open-hardware standard for professional unmanned aerial vehicles. Rather than a single flight controller board, it uses a modular design: the core autopilot module plugs into a carrier board that provides connectors, power regulation, and peripheral interfaces.
This approach has several advantages. The autopilot module itself is interchangeable between carrier boards. If you need different I/O configurations for a multi-rotor versus a fixed-wing build, you swap the carrier board and keep the same Cube module. The system also isolates sensitive sensors on the autopilot from vibration and electrical noise, which matters for precision flying.
The Cube Form Factor
Every Cube autopilot module shares a 40-pin DF17 connector layout. This is the physical standard that defines the "Cube" form factor. Carrier boards from CubePilot and compatible manufacturers use this connector to interface with the module. The result is a plug-and-play system: the autopilot clicks into the carrier, and all I/O (servos, telemetry, GPS, power) routes through the carrier's connectors.
The Cube system is supported by both ArduPilot and PX4. Both firmware platforms treat the Cube as a first-class target with full feature support. The Cube is also the basis for the Pixhawk ecosystem, so pilots familiar with Pixhawk will find the transition straightforward.
Cube Orange+ and Cube Red Pro
The two current Cube modules are the Cube Orange+ and the Cube Red Pro. The Orange+ uses an STM32H7 processor with triple-redundant IMUs, dual barometers, and a single onboard compass. It handles multi-rotor, fixed-wing, rover, and boat configurations comfortably, and is the standard choice for most professional builds.
The Red Pro adds a second Flight Management Unit (FMU). This dual-FMU architecture means a backup processor takes over if the primary fails mid-flight. It is built for enterprise and regulatory-critical applications where redundancy is non-negotiable: beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, survey flights over populated areas, and commercial delivery.
The Wider CubePilot Ecosystem
A Cube autopilot needs more than just the module. CubePilot provides the surrounding hardware:
- Carrier boards like the Cube Carrier Board with ADS-B provide the physical connectors, voltage regulation, and an ADS-B receiver for airspace awareness.
- GNSS modules in the HERE series give positioning from basic GPS through to centimetre-accuracy RTK. See our GPS modules guide for more on how these work.
- Power modules such as the Power Brick Mini handle voltage measurement and current sensing to feed the autopilot accurate power data.
The Cube Orange+ Standard Set with ADS-B bundles the module, carrier board, and GPS into a ready-to-build kit, which is a good starting point for anyone new to the Cube ecosystem.
Why Choose CubePilot Over a Standard Pixhawk?
Standard Pixhawk boards (like the Pixhawk 6 series) integrate everything onto one circuit board. That simplicity is fine for hobby builds and prototyping. The Cube system costs more but earns its place in production aircraft and commercial operations. The modular design reduces downtime when something fails, the vibration isolation improves sensor accuracy, and the triple-redundant IMUs add reliability that single-IMU boards cannot match.
What to Buy
- CubePilot Cube Orange+ Module — the standard choice for professional multi-rotor and fixed-wing builds
- CubePilot Cube Red Pro — dual-FMU autopilot for enterprise and BVLOS operations
- Cube Orange+ Standard Set with ADS-B — complete kit with carrier board and GPS
- Autopilots & Flight Controllers — browse the full range of autopilot systems
FAQ
Q: What firmware does CubePilot run?
A: Both ArduPilot and PX4 support all Cube modules. Most professional users run ArduPilot for its mature vehicle support and extensive parameter library.
Q: Can I use a Cube module with a non-CubePilot carrier board?
A: Yes. The 40-pin DF17 connector is an open standard. Several third-party manufacturers produce compatible carrier boards, though CubePilot's own boards have the tightest integration.
Q: Is CubePilot NDAA compliant?
A: CubePilot autopilots are generally considered NDAA-compliant. Check the specific product listing for the most current compliance status, as this can vary by module revision.