Planned Open Source
Targeted for public release in August 2026 as a community-accessible reference design.
ARGUS · OPEN-SOURCE · OFF-THE-SHELF
See what's flying. Open-source, off-the-shelf, yours to modify.
Parallax Argus is a planned open-source drone detection tool built from accessible, off-the-shelf components. The public release is targeted for August 2026, with early partner conversations focused on responsible feedback, field packaging, and practical airspace awareness.
Commodity Hardware
Designed around components schools, hobbyists, small operators, and researchers can source without specialty programs.
Detection Only
Passive awareness. No transmission. No aircraft interference. No active countermeasure behavior.
01 — The Problem
Airspace awareness is still out of reach for many practical users.
Small drone activity is increasingly hard to see, hear, and account for. Existing detection systems are expensive, proprietary, and out of reach for most operators, educators, and community-scale users.
The result is a growing capability gap between who needs airspace awareness and who can actually afford it.
02 — The Tool
Parallax Argus is a passive, detection-only awareness tool.
Parallax Argus is being developed as an open-source software and hardware reference design for drone detection. It runs on commodity, off-the-shelf components and is planned for public release in August 2026.
// PASSIVE DETECTION · NON-INTERFERING
Argus is passive, detection-only, and awareness-focused. It does not transmit, jam, interdict, spoof, disable, or interfere with any aircraft.
03 — Detection Approach
A modular, multi-modal detection stack.
Operators can deploy any combination of detection channels depending on environment, budget, and use case. Module readiness will be marked as the v1 reference build is finalized.
RF Awareness
Listen for common drone control and video-link bands using accessible SDR hardware.
Remote ID Ingest
Receive and parse broadcast Remote ID messages where present.
Acoustic Detection
Pattern-match characteristic rotor signatures using commodity microphones.
Visual / Optical
Use commodity cameras with lightweight ML inference for visual confirmation.
Sensor Fusion
Combine channels for higher-confidence detection and lower false-positive rates.
Operator Review
Keep detections readable with logs, timestamps, confidence context, and reviewable event notes.
04 — Hardware
Field packaging built around existing equipment habits.
Argus v1 is being mocked up around PRC-152 style radio batteries so teams already using that battery family can discuss faster integration, simplified charging, and field-friendly power handling.
OFF-THE-SHELF
PRC-152 STYLE BATTERY CONCEPT
PARTNER REVIEW
05 — Software
Open-source release is targeted for August 2026.
Argus does not have a public source release posted yet. Early collaborators, educators, researchers, field users, and technical partners should contact Parallax to discuss feedback, early access, and responsible development support.
06 — Capabilities
Built for readable awareness, not proprietary lock-in.
Multi-Modal Detection
RF, Remote ID, acoustic, and optical channels in one stack.
Off-the-Shelf Hardware
Documented BOM using commodity, accessible components.
Planned Open Source
Targeted for free use and modification after the August 2026 public release.
Passive and Non-Interfering
Detection only. No transmission. No interdiction. No interference.
Documented Release Path
Build notes, configuration guidance, and contribution paths will be published with the source release.
Community-First
Early feedback is welcome from educators, researchers, operators, and aligned technical collaborators.
07 — Who Argus Is For
Accessible detection-side tooling for practical users.
- Educators and STEM programs teaching airspace awareness, RF, sensor fusion, and applied ML.
- Researchers studying drone detection, signal processing, and drone detection sensor design.
- Airfield, range, and event operators needing accessible situational awareness.
- Hobbyist and maker communities exploring detection-side counterparts to FPV.
- Security and safety teams building defense-in-depth airspace awareness layers.
// USE POSTURE · LAWFUL · DEFENSIVE · NON-INTERFERING
Responsible use is part of the product.
Argus is a detection and awareness tool. It does not transmit, jam, spoof, or interdict. Operators are responsible for complying with all applicable local, national, and international laws regarding RF reception, recording, privacy, and airspace monitoring.
Parallax Solutions publishes Argus to advance open, community-accessible airspace awareness, not to enable interference with any aircraft or operator.
09 — Contribution Path
Early access is handled through scoped partner conversations.
10 — Get Started
Follow Parallax Argus as the open-source build comes together.
Argus is being framed as a passive, lawful, community-accessible tool for drone detection and practical airspace awareness. The public open-source launch is targeted for August 2026. Early help and access requests should route through Parallax directly.