Airvolute DroneCore Hedgehog

The Airvolute DroneCore Hedgehog is an autopilot for small drones that combines flight controller and AI computer on one board. Airvolute builds it in Slovakia; the module is meant for small UAS, up to the FPV range, that have to analyse images on board in addition to flying.

The flight computer works with a Hailo accelerator for neural networks, which processes camera images directly on board. PX4 and ArduPilot are the firmware options, the two widespread open flight stacks. The interfaces are aimed at video: Ethernet, a CSI camera port, analogue (VTX) and digital video, and streaming over UDP, RTSP and RTP. A TPM is prepared; it provides protected key storage and matters for systems with tamper protection. Unlike an FPV controller, what counts here is not latency in manual flight but how flight control and image processing work together.

Legally the finished drone decides, not the module: the EU classes C0 to C6 depend on take-off mass and equipment of the whole platform, with C0 below 250 g and C1 below 900 g. The manufacturer calls the product ITAR-free; anyone supplying US authorities must also settle the NDAA question.

When selecting, note that the documentation carries the status Initial Release: pin assignment and firmware should be checked against the current manufacturer files, as should mass and supply voltage for the weight budget. The AI accelerator produces heat that the small housing has to dissipate. Camera cables and connectors work loose under vibration; after every modification the sensors and the camera path are checked again.