Dockless Remote Operations with the Skydio External Radio (for Live Nation)

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  1. Skydio
  2. Skydio Remote Operations
  3. Dock & Remote Ops Planning and Execution

This article outlines the Concept of Operations (ConOps) for Live Nations live concert coverage with Skydio.

Initial Setup

The Skydio Deployment team will install the External Radio at each site and configure your Skydio Cloud organization to support remote operations without a Dock

Skydio will build your site in Skydio Cloud and create the associated geofences and safe landing points

    • Geofences - Geofences will be both keep in and keep out. The site boundary will be the keep in, while the keep out will be sensitive areas like over the amphitheater, lawn, or any other areas that are prohibited for drone operations.
    • Safe Landing Points - Safe landing points in the dockless use-case will be used only when manually commanded to do so. Low battery returns will always try to go back to the launch point, and there isn't separate logic to go to a safe landing point instead if battery depletes faster than expected.

[note] Hoodman pads are recommended at the launch location. These pads may not be visible at night and are not guaranteed to be detected. [/note]

Operations Overview

  1. Onsite personnel places the X10 on the ground
    • This is a pre-determined location for launch and recovery operations. The drone must be launched from the same location and altitude every time for correct position estimation.
    • Each drone needs to be associated with a launch point, and launch points are not interchangeable between drones.
  2. Onsite personnel turns on the X10 and performs a quick pre-flight check
  3. Onsite personnel ensures the launch area is clear
  4. Onsite personnel notifies the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) that they are clear to launch
  5. The Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) sees the drone come online and is now able to operate remotely
    • The RPIC is located in the command center and may be different from the personnel setting up the drone at the launch location

Safety and Operational Considerations

  • Never fly over people or vehicles, especially the lawn areas of the amphitheater

  • Launch Points - The drone must be within 50 ft of the configured launch point for the drone to take off. Each drone is associated with a Launch Point and drones are not interchangeable between launch points. If multiple drones are returning to Launch Points close to each other, the pilots are responsible for deconfliction.

  • Return Behavior - When a mission is complete, the drone will return to the launch point and hover until a landing is commanded from Remote Flight Deck. If the drone loses connectivity at the launch point, it will hover till the battery state triggers a landing, so pick a location with good drone connectivity for the drone.
    • The hover altitude depends on the Obstacle Avoidance (OA) and return settings. With OA on, Backtrack returns will hover at 10 ft from the launch point, whereas Up and Over returns will hover at 30 ft. With OA off, the drone will hover at the return height configured in the setting. Backtrack is not supported with OA off, so RPIC may need to take over manual control.

  • Commandeering - Commandeering from the X10 controller is not supported

  • Safe Landing Points - Safe landing points in the dockless use-case will be used only when manually commanded to do so. Low battery returns will always try to go back to the launch point, and there isn't separate logic to go to a safe landing point instead if battery depletes faster than expected.

  • Night and Rain - Low Light mode with NightSense ON is recommended past sunset. The RPIC will need to change these settings manually. Rain can cause irregular movements and VIO may become degraded. Monitor closely and turn off Obstacle Avoidance if needed.
  • Live Mission Planning - Live Mission Planning is not supported for Missions without a Dock

Pre-planned Missions

  • The RPIC plans a GPS-based waypoint mission in Skydio Cloud. These missions are planned to go to certain points of interest (POIs) while navigating around areas that have limited foot and vehicle traffic to avoid overflight. Any given night could have multiple missions that get the drone to the correct locations.
    • The mission is configured to use Backtrack for returns. This setting needs to be set for every mission created.
  • The RPIC chooses the appropriate mission and launches the drone
  • The RPIC uses the Free Look function to look around the venue as the drone flies to its destination. The drone will automatically exit Free Look at every waypoint.
  • Once on station, the RPIC can pause and either use Free Look to look around the area or take over manually in case of an evolving situation
  • Waypoints can be skipped, but skipping will pause the mission at the next waypoint, and the RPIC has to either unpause the mission to continue or take over manual control
  • If a mission is stopped or canceled, the RPIC should take over manual control
  • The RPIC may need to manually return to home avoiding foot and vehicle traffic on the way back
  • Onsite personnel will clear the landing area if needed
  • Once at the home point, the RPIC must select Land Now to command a landing
    • If a landing is not manually initiated, the drone will hover in place
  • When the operation is over, onsite personnel will retrieve the X10 and bring it to the operations center to upload media using Media Sync

Manual Flight Operations

[note] Before flight, the RPIC should check Return Settings to ensure Backtrack is selected. Lost Connection hover time should be set per organization policy. [/note]

  1. The RPIC launches the X10 and flies manually to points of interest and other areas within the venue boundaries
    [note] The RPIC should stay clear of operating over pedestrians or vehicles by pitching the gimbal down when transiting heavily trafficked areas [/note]
  2. The RPIC flies to locations that are requested based on emerging situations like vehicle traffic patterns, medical events, theft, or other illegal activities.
    • The RPIC will right-click on the map and select Fly to Point to autonomously fly to those locations
  3. Remote operations center personnel are both consuming the live stream visually from the monitor and/or viewing the live stream via ReadyLink
  4. The RPIC will manually return to home avoiding foot and vehicle traffic on the way back.
  5. Onsite personnel will clear the landing area if needed
  6. Once at the home point, the RPIC must select Land Now to command a landing
    • If a landing is not manually initiated, the drone will hover in place

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