NTO: Updated Guidance for X10 Overheating Alerts - 4 June 2024

OSB Number: SOSB-24-V06

Date First Published: 04 June 2024

Date Updated: 11 June 2024

11 June 2024 - Updated Guidance

Operational Impact: Skydio was aware of aggressive overheating alerts and worked to improve the alert model to reduce the number of inflight notifications without compromising flight safety.

Products affected: Skydio X10, Skydio X10D, and Skydio X10/X10D Controllers

Update Details

Skydio recently issued a Notice to Operators after learning that the overheating alert system may generate unnecessary alerts at temperatures within the operating range. Our recent software update improves the drone overheating alert model and reduces the number of inflight notifications:

• Better accuracy and cadence of drone overheating alerts with updated user guidance
• Disables obstacle avoidance at high temperatures to reduce power draw and lower drone temperature
• If the drone temperature drops back down during flight, obstacle avoidance will be re-enabled

[note] Temperature alerts are based on internal drone components that are significantly higher than ambient temps. [/note]

Previous (v31.4.106 and older) Single alert when drone reaches critical temperatures	Alert 1 - Land Now Take immediate action to land
New (v34.1.112) Series of three alerts, first alert is now triggered a little later than the previous single alert
Alert 1 - Drone is Heating Up Can be dismissed; recommended to disable obstacle avoidance. Triggered at a higher temperature than the previous single alert
Alert 2 - Obstacle avoidance disabled Note that obstacle avoidance may re-enable if the drone temperature drops back down during flight
Alert 3 - Land Now Take immediate action to land

[note] Battery overheating behaviors remain the same. [/note]

Mitigation

Update to the latest software version:

• Controller software version 34.1.79
• Skydio X10 software version 34.1.112

4 June 2024

OSB Number: SOSB-24-V-06

Date created: 4 June 2024

Operational Impact: Skydio has become aware of aggressive overheating alerts and is urgently working to improve the alert model to reduce the number of inflight notifications without compromising flight safety.

Products affected: Skydio X10, Skydio X10D, and Skydio X10/X10D Controllers

Description, Identification, and Manifestation 

Skydio X10 systems are designed to operate in temperatures up to 113°F (45°C), however, sustained direct sunlight on the controller screen and vehicle may increase the internal temperatures and trigger overheating alerts. Skydio has recently become aware that the overheating alert system may generate unnecessary alerts at temperatures still within the operating range.

For the controller, this means that pilots may see undismissable warnings to “land now” and be unable to continue missions.

For the drone, this means that pilots may see a recommendation to immediately land due to heat overload.

Mitigation and Resolution

X10 Controller

Skydio Actions

Skydio has released a new software update version 34.1.77 that improves the accuracy of controller overheating alerts and provides updated guidance.

Alert 1 - Controller is Heating Up: take mitigation actions

• Move the controller screen out of direct sunlight
• Move to a shaded or cooler area if possible
• Continue flight - this alert is cancellable

Alert 2 - Controller Too Hot to Operate: take immediate action to land

• Launch will be prevented
• If the drone is in flight the signal between the controller and the X10 will be lost and your drone will default to the operator-defined lost connection settings
• This alert is non-cancellable

Operator Actions

• Update your X10 Controller to version 31.4.77
• Read the new alerts (Alert 1 and Alert 2) listed above and understand their implications and required user actions
• Ensure that you have set the lost connection and return settings before launch to ensure a safe return if the signal connection is lost with the controller for a prolonged period of time
• You may safely continue flights past the new Alert 1 - Controller is Heating Up if you take actions to significantly reduce or eliminate direct sun exposure on the controller screen and avoid triggering Alert 2

X10 Drone

Skydio Actions

Skydio is working on an imminent software update that will improve the accuracy of vehicle overheating alerts.

Operator Actions

Until the software update is available, pilots flying missions in high heat environments should:

• Keep the drone body shaded in preflight to avoid solar loading.
• Avoid storing the drone in the case in hot locations (e.g., hot car trunks).
• Keep flights to 20 minutes or less, as they will be less likely to encounter a vehicle overheat alert.
• If well clear of obstacles, consider disabling obstacle avoidance to reduce processor utilization.
• Follow the instructions provided in the Land Now vehicle overheating alert and take immediate action to land:
  
  Land Now - Your drone is too hot to operate safely. Return and land immediately.
  
• Be alert to future update notices and deploy them as soon as they become available

For detailed information regarding the operation of the Skydio X10 system in hot weather visit Best Practices for flying Skydio X10 on hot days.