

IMUs for Drones and UAVs
Xsens inertial modules give drones precise orientation, stable flight control, and reliable navigation. With up to 400 Hz orientation output, advanced sensor fusion, and compact OEM designs, Xsens is a trusted choice for UAV developers.

IMU / AHRS / GNSS-INS for Drones: Stability & Navigation
Drones are expected to fly safely in windy or cluttered environments. To deliver missions reliably - inspection, delivery, mapping, or defense - they need dependable inertial sensing for flight stability and navigation.
Xsens industrial-grade IMUs, AHRS, and GNSS/INS + RTK provide the high-frequency orientation and state estimation required for in-flight stabilization and time-synchronized orientation & position.
With up to 400 Hz orientation output, advanced sensor fusion, and compact modules, Xsens helps UAVs stay stable, accurate, and mission-ready - plus fast integration with Pixhawk/Ardupilot and ROS.

Why Inertial Sensors Matter for UAVs
Unmanned aerial vehicles face demanding conditions: turbulence, payload restrictions, and missions in harsh environments. Xsens inertial modules help solve these challenges by delivering:
- Real-time flight stability under turbulence and high dynamics (up to 400 Hz orientation).
- Compact, low-power modules for tight UAV designs.
- Developer-ready: SDKs, ROS, Pixhawk/ArduPilot integration
- Rugged options (IP68) for industrial & defense environments.
UAV Use Cases with Xsens modules
In-flight stabilization & positioning
Maintain steady orientation in turbulence and high dynamics.
Enhanced GNSS + RTK performance
Supercharge existing navigation modules with high-rate AHRS data (400 Hz)
Drone launcher systems
Determine heading and launch angle for consistent trajectories.
Time-synchronized orientation & position
GNSS + RTK and inertial data in a single module for precise navigation.

Benefits of Xsens Inertial Sensor Modules for Drones
- High-Rate Orientation Data
Up to 400 Hz for precise control loops. - Compact OEM and SMD Options
IMUs down to 12×12 mm for small UAVs. - Rugged Modules
IP68 housings, with integrated GNSS receiver. - Developer-Ready
SDKs, ROS, Pixhawk and Ardupilot integration. - Proven in UAVs Worldwide
Trusted by defense and industrial drone manufacturers.
Xsens Sensor Modules for Drones/UAVs

MTi 1-Series
- Ultra-compact (12 × 12 mm), lightweight and low-power SMD module for space-constrained designs.
- Delivers reliable orientation and positioning with onboard sensor fusion.
- AHRS, INS/GNSS or INS/GNSS + RTK options, also available in easy to integrate modules for fast prototyping.

MTi 600 OEM-Series
- Up to 400 Hz orientation output providing high data rate.
- OEM form factor, compact and easy to integrate in embedded systems.
- AHRS, INS/GNSS or INS/GNSS + RTK options available. MTi-680 available with a Septentrio Development Kit with the Mosaic X5 - anti-jamming and anti-spoofing for critical GNSS applications.

Xsens Avior AHRS
- Premium OEM solution, low SwaP-C package.
- High accuracy for demanding motion dynamics.
- Wide interface support (UART, CAN, I2C, SPI, UART, RS232, RS424, optional EtherCAT).

Xsens MTi-680G
- GNSS/INS + RTK rugged module, IP68 housing.
- Integrated GNSS receiver for easy, plug & play implementation.
- Time-synced orientation and positioning data.

Why Xsens
- 25 Years of Motion Expertise
Experience in human and machine motion tracking. - Accuracy You Can Rely On
All sensors are individually calibrated, sensor fusion optimized for real-world conditions. - Developer-Friendly
ROS drivers, Pixhawk and Ardupilot integration. - Global Support
FAEs with direct UAVs expertise in Europe, USA and Asia.
Inertial Sensors for Drones/UAVs - FAQs
What does an IMU/AHRS add beyond GNSS/RTK on a drone?
Which Xsens module fits very small UAVs?
Do you support Pixhawk/ArduPilot and ROS?
What output rates can I expect?
How do I time-synchronize orientation with GNSS position?
How robust are Xsens sensors to vibration and interference?
What’s the quickest way to prototype on a new UAV?
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