Skydio X2D ATO: v21.3.87 - 25 July 2023
Published: Updated:
[note]This information applies to United States government operators. [/note]
July 25, 2023
| Skydio X2D vehicle software version: | 21.3.87 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller-S software version: | 21.3.36 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller software version: | 21.3.36 |
| QGC-Gov version: | 21.3.36 |
What's in this release:
NEW
Skydio X2D Multiband Radio variant
Introducing the Skydio X2D Multiband Color and Color/Thermal offering access to M1-M6 radio bands and the corresponding 4 MHz bandwidth channels.
RAS-A v1.1 Compliance
Robotics and Autonomous Systems – Air (RAS-A) MAVLink Control Link Interoperability Profile (IOP) compliance which includes manual control of the vehicle, autonomous missions (waypoints), camera and payload control, vehicle-specific skills, radio link configuration, pairing configuration, and maintenance.
QGC-Gov Integration
QGC-Gov integration enables compatibility with the open-source software solutions used in the Blue sUAS Program and the Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program.
Skydio Fleet Manager for Offline Drones
Updates from Skydio contain essential enhancements and fixes designed to improve performance and optimize flight controls and features for operating your Skydio X2D offline system and Enterprise Controller. Skydio has made it easy to access offline software updates through our self-service portal. Visit How to use Fleet Manager for Offline Drones for detailed information.
Skydio Scout Skill
Introducing Scout, a new Flight Skill, simplifies the flying experience when tracking a moving subject. Scout allows you to follow and track a GPS position at long range without the need to visually lock onto the tracked subject. For more information, visit, How to use the Scout Skill on Skydio X2.
- Track the GPS position of your Enterprise Controller
- Adjust drone position and camera orientation while tracking a subject at a fixed distance
- The drone operator has more freedom to focus on the live video feed to assess the surrounding environment
Positioning Behavior
Set the drone’s behavior to automatically reposition itself to match changes in the subject’s direction of motion, the drone will maintain its position relative to the tracked Skydio Enterprise Controller o. Select either Relative or Fixed in the Positioning Behavior menu:
- Relative - as the subject’s GPS heading changes, so will the subject frame with the tracked axis. The drone will autonomously yaw to mirror the rotational changes of the GPS heading.
- Fixed - the drone’s position and yaw will not reflect the rotational changes of the subject’s GPS heading.
AR Marker
To improve the Scout experience, we have now added an AR marker over the tracked subject. This allows the operator to more easily orient themselves to the tracked GPS subject while in flight.
- the AR Marker is red when the drone is close to the GPS subject and purple when it is furthest away
- the AR marker displays the tracked subject at the height of the drone
Quick Launch
Quick Launch allows you to use the battery power button to launch your Skydio X2, allowing for better focus on your drone. Quick Launch makes it easier to hand launch, so you do not have to balance the controller in one hand and your drone in the other.
- Enable this in the Drone menu tab located in Device settings
- Tap four times on the battery power button to initiate a launch
[note] Launching using the battery power button requires a Hand Launch. Follow the recommended safety guidelines before performing a Quick Launch. [/note]
Triangulation - Beta
Triangulation is a new flight skill that allows you to identify the location coordinates of an object. Visit How to Use the Triangulation Skill on Skydio X2 for detailed information. Skydio is offering pilots the opportunity to use this new feature in production to provide feedback and assist in developing the final design.
Panorama Skill
Introducing Panorama, a new Flight Skill that allows you to take three different types of panoramic photos:
- Horizontal captures a 180° horizontal panorama centered at the horizon
- Vertical captures a full 180° vertical panorama
- Spherical provides a full 360° equirectangular image. The final stitched output includes metadata which allows the image to be viewed by 360° interactive viewers.
Panorama Live Preview displays a low-resolution preview frame of your shot. Fly to your desired location and adjust the roll, pitch, yaw, and throttle to encompass the scene, then let Skydio capture the rest. Visit How to use Panorama Skill on Skydio X2 for detailed information.
Low Battery Auto Return
If you have set a home point, Skydio will automatically return to that location when the battery level is low. Enabling or disabling this feature persists across flights and power cycles. See How to Set Return Behaviors on Skydio X2.
- Enable this setting within the Return Behaviors menu
- Select Return to Home Point under Low Battery
[note]You must set a Home Point to use Low Battery Auto Return.[/note]
ENHANCEMENTS
KeyFrame Improvements
Intuitively adjust the speed of your KeyFrame during flight using the roll joystick. In the KeyFrame skill settings menu, choose from three modes:
- Absolute: Roll joystick input directly maps to drone movements. Skydio will stop when the joystick is centered.
- Relative: Roll joystick input increases or decreases speed. Skydio will maintain the current speed when the joystick is centered.
- Off: Roll joystick movement does not affect the speed
[note] Roll controls the left and right horizontal movements of your drone. Left or right joystick may vary depending on your Flight Mode. A positive speed indicates left to right on the timeline. A negative speed indicates right to left on the timeline. [/note]
Enterprise Controller Updates
Additional Button Mapping
Customize the Left and Right Wheels with the following options:
- Left Wheel: Gimbal pitch, No function
- Right Wheel: Digital Zoom, Physical Zoom, Exposure Compensation, No function
Power Level Enhancements
We have increased the Enterprise Controller power level on our Skydio X2D 5 GHz from 23 dBm to 30 dBm on UNII-1 bands. This will improve wireless ranges in congested environments from approximately 0.5 miles (850 m) to 0.83 miles (1,350 m).
Case Landing Improvements
To reduce the chances of canceling a Case Landing due to an accidental nudge, Skydio will require one second of joystick inputs to unlock from the case. Reinitiate a Case Landing by tapping the blue case icon.
[note] If you unlock the case, the drone will continue landing in place. Select the case to revert to a case landing. [/note]
Additional telemetry information
You can refer to additional telemetry information for your current flight in the top left of the live camera feed. New in-flight telemetry information includes Compass Heading - displayed in degrees ranging from 0° - 359° and cardinal directions.
Updated Control Mode menu
Switch between Mode 1, Mode 2 (default), and Mode 3 style flight controls using the Control Mode menu. Previously named Flight Mode and located in Device Settings > Controller > Control Mode.
Height Ceiling
- The minimum Height Ceiling has changed from 30 ft (10 m) to 9 ft (3 m)
Battery Updates
- Improved capacity estimate for degraded batteries
- Improved accuracy for landing time estimates during GPS Night Flight
- Updated in-app messaging to provide earlier warnings in the event of a battery failure
- To avoid damage, a fully charged battery that is stored in higher temperatures will discharge to 80% charge
Always follow the proper guidelines for maintaining batteries. Store batteries at room temperature between 71°F - 82°F (22°C - 28°C) and in a cool, dry area with less than 75% relative humidity. For detailed information, visit How to Maintain your Skydio X2 Batteries.
Tutorials Section
To access the instructional tutorials, navigate to the INFO tab and select the Tutorials menu under Support. Tutorials include:
- Hand Wave Guide
- Safety Guide
Other Improvements
- Improved hovering performance while flying in GPS Night Flight
- While charging or resting, the gimbal will switch to a relaxed state
Explore More
Explore related articles for additional information
Access Skydio X2D Manuals, Checklists, and Guides
[note]If you need assistance, please reach out to: FedSupport@skydio.us[/note]
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