pip install mavsdk for takeoff, offboard control and missions. The same code runs against PX4 SITL.Overview
The go-to PX4 reference airframe. It is well documented, cheap to repair and supported out of the box by PX4 and ArduPilot. It is an outdoor GPS drone, not an indoor one, but it is the standard for learning offboard control and ROS 2 integration.
- Type
- Drone · Autonomous & developer drones
- Maker
- Holybro (China)
- Released
- 2021
- Price
- ~$250 – $600
- Status
- Available
- Best for
- Ages 16+
- Programming
- Open source (hardware + software)
Price and shipping
Frame/ARF kit vs. kit with Pixhawk 6C/6X, GPS and telemetry radio
Shipping: ~1–2 weeks. Sold by Holybro and US drone-parts resellers. Assembly required. Holybro ↗
Specifications
| Category | Drones · Autonomous & developer drones |
|---|---|
| Released | 2021 |
| Country | China |
| Availability | Available |
| Programmability | Open source (hardware + software) |
| Built-in autonomy | Navigates · Goes to places on its own, such as mapped rooms, waypoints or its charging dock |
| LLM support | Possible via SDK · Open PX4 stack with MAVSDK and ROS 2 control, no built-in LLM. |
| MuJoCo simulation | None found · Nothing found. |
| NVIDIA Isaac simulation | None found · Nothing found. Pegasus Simulator runs PX4 in Isaac Sim but ships a generic Iris model. |
| Gazebo simulation | Sim-to-real kit · PX4's default Gazebo model (gz_x500) runs the same PX4 flight stack in SITL. PX4 Gazebo vehicles ↗ |
| Best for | Ages 16+ (estimated) |
| Vision sensors | No vision sensors |
| Actuators | Brushless / direct-drive motors |
| Audio | No audio |
| Compute type | Arduino / ESP32 / microcontroller |
| Remote control | Python from a laptop |
| Size | 500 mm wheelbase, ~1 kg without battery (est.) |
| Drive | Carbon-fiber quadcopter |
| Compute | Pixhawk 6C/6X flight controller, mount for Raspberry Pi/Jetson companion |
| Vision | None stock (companion camera optional) |
| Lidar | None stock |
| Sensors | IMU, barometer, magnetometer, GNSS |
| Runtime | ~18 min (est., 4S 5000 mAh) |
| Speed | Not published |
| SDK | PX4 (open source), MAVLink, MAVSDK-Python, ROS 2 via uXRCE-DDS, QGroundControl |
Common questions
How much does Holybro X500 V2 cost?
Holybro X500 V2 is listed at ~$250 – $600. Frame/ARF kit vs. kit with Pixhawk 6C/6X, GPS and telemetry radio.
Can Holybro X500 V2 be bought today?
Yes, it is on sale. Typical shipping time is ~1–2 weeks. Sold by Holybro and US drone-parts resellers. Assembly required.
Who makes Holybro X500 V2?
Holybro X500 V2 is made by Holybro (China). It came out in 2021.
Can Holybro X500 V2 be programmed?
Open source (hardware + software). PX4 (open source), MAVLink, MAVSDK-Python, ROS 2 via uXRCE-DDS, QGroundControl.
Does Holybro X500 V2 have AI chat or LLM support?
Possible via SDK. Open PX4 stack with MAVSDK and ROS 2 control, no built-in LLM.
What age is Holybro X500 V2 for?
Ages 16+ (estimated).
Ratings & reviews
Ratings and reviews load on the live site.
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