# using Blue Robotics Navigator to control the quadcopter

**URL:** <https://discuss.bluerobotics.com/t/using-blue-robotics-navigator-to-control-the-quadcopter/14946>\
**Category:** Blue Robotics Vehicles\
**Created:** [August 28, 2023, 7:05pm UTC](https://discuss.bluerobotics.com/t/using-blue-robotics-navigator-to-control-the-quadcopter/14946 "2023-08-28T19:05:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![llirik.kn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/958977/32.png) [@llirik.kn](https://discuss.bluerobotics.com/u/llirik.kn)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 7:05pm UTC](https://discuss.bluerobotics.com/t/using-blue-robotics-navigator-to-control-the-quadcopter/14946/1 "2023-08-28T19:05:02Z")

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Hi all. Has anyone had practical experience using the Navigator to control a quadcopter? Do I understand correctly that this navigator paired with RPI4 replaces pixhawk? Where can I find a more detailed diagram of connecting ESC, Telemetry and other things to this Navigator?

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**Author:** ![EliotBR](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discuss.bluerobotics.com/eliotbr/32/6937_2.png) [@EliotBR](https://discuss.bluerobotics.com/u/EliotBR)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 7:17am UTC](https://discuss.bluerobotics.com/t/using-blue-robotics-navigator-to-control-the-quadcopter/14946/2 "2023-09-22T07:17:58Z")

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Hi @llirik.kn, welcome to the forum 🙂

> [@llirik.kn](#):
>
> Has anyone had practical experience using the Navigator to control a quadcopter?

We used a Navigator on a copter as part of the launch video, so it has definitely at least been done. That said, since we predominantly work in marine robotics that kind of configuration hasn’t been tested as extensively as its use in our ROVs and boats.

> [@llirik.kn](#):
>
> Do I understand correctly that this navigator paired with RPI4 replaces pixhawk?

That is correct - Navigator + RPi4 is equivalent to an alternative flight controller board connected to an onboard computer. Note that we recommend running BlueOS on the onboard computer, because otherwise you’ll need to set up the Navigator firmware runner and MAVLink redirection manually.

> [@llirik.kn](#):
>
> Where can I find a more detailed diagram of connecting ESC, Telemetry and other things to this Navigator?

Our [Navigator Hardware Setup Guide](https://bluerobotics.com/learn/navigator-hardware-setup/) is likely the best starting point for hardware connection and configuration details 🙂

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**Author:** ![dtrail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtrail](https://discuss.bluerobotics.com/u/dtrail)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 5:05pm UTC](https://discuss.bluerobotics.com/t/using-blue-robotics-navigator-to-control-the-quadcopter/14946/3 "2025-07-30T17:05:24Z")

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As this is a couple years old, I was wondering if anyone else has used Navigator for quadcopter or other UAV successfully.

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**Author:** ![tony-white](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discuss.bluerobotics.com/tony-white/32/13297_2.png) [@tony-white](https://discuss.bluerobotics.com/u/tony-white)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 7:35pm UTC](https://discuss.bluerobotics.com/t/using-blue-robotics-navigator-to-control-the-quadcopter/14946/4 "2025-07-31T19:35:50Z")

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Hi @dtrail -

As part of the Navigator launch, Blue Robotics built a quadcopter with a Navigator and it flew great! We’ve seen others use BlueOS, but generally they shy away from the Navigator as the autopilot stack actually runs on the PiOS, and not bare metal like a Pixhawk microcontroller, leading to safety concerns for aerial vehicles…