The microcontroller manufacturer NIIET (part of the Element Group, MOEX: ELMT) and “Chistoye Nebo”, a developer of UAV components, in cooperation with the developers of the Russian open-source real-time operating system (RTOS) Embox, have successfully adapted the ArduPilot open-source autonomous flight software for the Russian K1921VG015 microcontrollers based on the RISC-V architecture.
This collaboration has established an open added value chain where each participant focuses on their specific area of expertise. The result is a platform for creating hardware-software packages (HWP) with high-performance characteristics. This platform allows for the cost-effective development of end-user devices using a domestic electronic component base (ECB) and RTOS, while maintaining the familiar interface of the original ArduPilot project.
The annual demand for these products is estimated at several million units. The expertise gained through this cooperation—utilising the Embox RTOS and Russian components—is planned for replication in other sectors, including industrial automation, instrument engineering, communications, and transport.
The flight controller is a critical component for drones, responsible for flight management, aerial stabilization, and the execution of commands. Previously, the majority of flight controllers were based on European microcontrollers due to the availability of ready-made software environments that allowed for low-cost HWP development.
About the Companies
Element Group (MOEX: ELMT)
Element Group is the leading manufacturer of domestic electronic components in Russia. The Group’s products are used in the key sectors of the economy, including healthcare, energy, transport, oil and gas, aerospace, shipbuilding, and the space industries. The Group comprises more than 30 design centers and production facilities, manufacturing over 3,000 product types. Element launched its IPO in May 2024. In January 2026, JSFC “Sistema”, which previously held a 37.6% stake, fully exited its shareholding in Element, selling its entire stake to Sber.
“Chistoye Nebo” LLC (CSKY Brand)
Chistoye Nebo is a developer of hardware components and software for remotely piloted systems. The company’s product portfolio includes flight controllers, electronic speed controllers (ESCs), on-board computers, communication systems, and ground control station software. The company’s clients include the top three manufacturers of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Embox
Embox is an open-source project dedicated to creating an operating system for specialized embedded devices. Its core concept is to enable Linux application software to run in a more secure, deterministic, and resource-efficient environment, such as on microcontrollers, with reduced power consumption. It is the only platform in the world capable of running computer vision tasks via the OpenCV library on STM32-family microcontrollers. Originally a student project at the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics of Saint Petersburg State University, Embox has evolved into an international open-source project. Its team founded a commercial entity for further development and market integration. Embox is officially included in the Unified Register of Russian Software (Registry Entry №26749, dated 28.02.2025).
