Skydio Dock & Remote Operations FAQ

Published: Updated:

  1. Skydio
  2. Skydio Cloud
  3. New Features & Releases Skydio Cloud

What is Skydio Dock?

Skydio Dock is a rugged, industrial-grade enclosure system for remote drone operations – indoors or outdoors. For use with Skydio 2/2+ or Skydio X2 with Dock-compatible batteries.

 Dock.png

Small but mighty. Skydio Dock Lite is just as intelligent and fits perfectly in secure, climate-controlled environments such as warehouses and retail locations. For use with Skydio 2/2+ with Dock-compatible batteries.

 Dock_Lite.png

[accordion heading="How is Skydio Dock operated?"]

Designed together from the ground up, Skydio Dock hardware and Remote Ops software are fully integrated and provide a complete end-to-end solution. Skydio Dock works seamlessly with Skydio drones which connect effortlessly to Skydio Cloud. Together, they allow you to do everything from scheduling to live-streaming and storing media through a single, trusted resource.

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[accordion heading="How do I purchase a Skydio Dock?"]

Please contact a Skydio Sales Representative for information about pricing and becoming an Early Access Partner.

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[accordion heading="How much does Skydio Dock cost?"]

Skydio Dock is priced competitively at a fraction of the cost of most competitor systems. For more information about pricing and becoming an Early Access Partner, contact a Skydio Sales Representative. Currently, we have a limited number of Docks that we have allocated to customers that meet the requirements of our Early Access Program.

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[accordion heading="Who can buy Skydio Dock?"]

Please contact a Skydio Sales Representative for information about pricing and becoming an Early Access Partner.

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[accordion heading="Which Skydio drones does Dock support?"]

Skydio Dock contains a launch, landing, and charging pedestal that fits either Skydio X2 or Skydio 2+ Dock-compatible batteries. Drone systems cannot be swapped by the customer. Skydio Dock supports:

    • Skydio 2+ indoor operations in environments that are not secure or clean
    • Skydio X2 NDAA-compliant solution for indoor and outdoor operations

Skydio Dock Lite contains a launch, landing, and charging cradle that fits Skydio 2+ Dock-compatible batteries. Skydio Dock Lite supports:

    • Skydio 2+ secure, climate-controlled environments

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[accordion heading="Will my batteries work with Skydio Dock?"]

Standard Skydio 2/2+ or Skydio X2 batteries will not work with Skydio Dock or Dock Lite. To use your existing Skydio 2/2+ or Skydio X2 with Dock or Dock Lite, you will need to purchase Dock-compatible batteries.

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[accordion heading="Is Skydio Dock weatherproof?"]

Skydio Dock with Skydio X2 is rated IP56, protected against harmful dust and protection from repeated exposure to rain, snow, and hail. The heating element combats snow buildup on the roof of the system. The heating and cooling system for Skydio X2 Dock compatible battery minimizes charging times and maintains ideal temperatures for optimal performance. 
    • Skydio Dock for Skydio 2/2+ is not IP rated, but it is protected from light splash and spills, with limited dust ingress protection.
    • Skydio Dock Lite is not IP-rated.

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[accordion heading="How does Dock work with FAA visual line-of-sight (VLOS) rules?"]

Skydio offers Regulatory Services for outdoor operations BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) waiver support and program documentation.

The Waiver Application Service aims to:

    • understand the customer’s use case and organization
    • develop the necessary documentation package for an FAA request, including Concept of Operations, Safety Risk Assessment, Technical Data on Skydio’s hardware and software
    • help the customer submit this documentation to the FAA and gain approval to conduct advanced operations such as flying BVLOS.

The Program Documentation Service - when applying for advanced operations, the FAA has certain expectations for drone programs. We’ve developed the program documentation service to help organizations meet or exceed these expectations.

    • This service provides manual templates such as the general operating manual (or SOP), training manual, and safety manual as well as guidance, tips, and best practices to help organizations implement their manuals.
    • The goal of this service is to give drone programs a robust structure and framework so that it can succeed and provide value to the organization, as well as prepare them to move into advanced operations.
    • If the customer already has a set of drone program manuals, we instead can do a review and gap analysis of their manuals and help identify areas for modification or improvement.

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[accordion heading="What are the hardware specs for Skydio Dock?"]

 

Skydio Dock for X2

Skydio Dock for S2

Skydio Dock Lite

Dimensions

(L x W x H)

Enclosure: 25.16 x 24.33 x 12.2 in / 63.9 x 61.8 x 31 cm

Base: 22.2 x 24.3 x 11.1 in / 56 x 62 x 28 cm

  • Base attached and antennas extended add 2.68 in (6.8 cm) to width and 22.52 in (57.2 cm) to height.

Enclosure: 25.16 x 24.33 x 12.2 in / 63.9 x 61.8 x 31 cm

Base: 22.2 x 24.3 x 11.1 in / 56 x 62 x 28 cm

  • Base attached and antennas extended add 2.68 in (6.8 cm) to width and 22.52 in (57.2 cm) to height.

 

Cradle: 4.9 x 11.8 x 1.9 in / 12.5 x 30 x 4.8 cm

Tripod: 4.9 x 11.8 x 8.9 in / 12.5 x 30 x 22.6 cm

Weight

Enclosure: 72 lb /  32.6 Kg

Base: 31 lb / 14 Kg

Enclosure & Base: 103 lb  / 46.7 kg

Enclosure: 72 lb /  32.6 Kg

Base: 31 lb / 14 Kg

Enclosure & Base: 103 lb  / 46.7 kg

Cradle: .46 lb

Tripod: 1.46 lb

Weatherization

IP56: Ingress protection from repeated exposure to dust and strong water, rain, snow, and hail.

  • Heating element built into the roof of the Dock to combat snow and ice buildup.
  • Integrated heating and cooling system to minimize battery recharge time.

Not IP-rated: Protected from light splash/spills and has limited dust ingress protection.

None

Temperature Range

Operation: -20 - 43°C  (-4 to 109°F)

Standby: -40 - 60°C   (-40 to 140°F)

Operation: 0 - 35°C     (32 - 95°F)

Standby: 0 - 45°C       (32 - 113°F)

Recommended Facility Temperature: 0 - 35°C (32 - 95°F)

Charge Time

45 minutes from 20-90%

30 minutes from 20-90%

30 minutes from 20-90%

Landing/Launch Wind Resistance

Up to 15 knots (17 mph, 7.5 m/s)

Up to 4 knots (2 m/s)

Up to 4 knots (2 m/s)

Power Input

1000W, 240 VAC, 50-60Hz universal input, 20 Amp 3-wire cord3

500W, 120V/240V AC, 50-60Hz universal input, IEC plug

500W, 120V/240V AC, 50-60Hz universal input, IEC plug

Transmission Range

On Skydio Link 5 Ghz: ~4km

On Skydio Link Dual Band: ~ 2km

On Wi-Fi: Infrastructure dependent
  • Always follow local rules, regulations, and FAA guidelines. Unless you have obtained waiver clearance from the FAA, fly your drone in line of sight at all times.
  • Measured at a temperature of 25℃. As temperature increases, battery cooling time will increase and lengthen recharge time.
  • Skydio Dock for X2 is also compatible with 500W, 120VAC, 50-60Hz universal input, IEC plug for standby temperature limit of 0 - 60°C ​​(32 to 140°F). 220VAC enables sub-zero operation and standby.

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 Skydio, Inc. A0336

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