NTO: Third-party radio interference with Skydio X10 Controller - Updated 2 September 2025

OSB Number: SOSB-24-V

Products affected:  Skydio X10 Controller and Skydio X10D Controller

Date Created: 22 August 2025

Date Updated: 2 September 2025

[note] This NTO has been updated for clarity and further guidance. [/note]

Summary

Skydio has identified two separate but related issues involving third party radio interference and controller-based flight, affecting both X10 and X10D controllers. The issue may be experienced when operating radios in the sub-1Ghz range close to the controller. There is no impact to Dock products, DFR Command, or X10 systems flown through the browser-based Remote Flight Deck.  

1. A small number of X10 controllers have been rendered inoperable when a police radio or other high-power radio transmits at 512 Mhz or below within approximately 12 inches of the left side of the controller. Controllers encountering this failure mode experience power loss and drones will initiate the pre-programmed lost comms return-to-home behavior.
2. Additionally, we have identified a separate issue which can be caused by radios operating on bands 136-174 Mhz, 403-470 Mhz, 450-512 Mhz, 763-776 Mhz, and 851-870 Mhz, within approximately 12 inches of the left side of the controller. This can result in temporary loss of communications with the drone, but the connection will automatically resume within a few seconds after radio transmissions stop. 

We understand how critical robust and reliable communication between the controller and drone is, and recognize our customers use other radios that are vital to their work. We take these issues very seriously and are working to implement near-term mitigations and long-term fixes. 

We are implementing a hardware revision to address the root cause of issue 1. We have developed a software enhancement to mitigate issue 2 that will enable the controller to detect radio interference, display an informative alert, and proactively disable some buttons temporarily to protect against lost comms, ensuring that comms with the drone remain and that the pilot remains in control of the drone - this update will be available soon in upcoming software releases. 

Third party radio interference that renders the controller permanently inoperable will be covered by Skydio under warranty. 
 

Description, Identification, and Manifestation 

Our analysis and internal testing shows that high-power radios transmitting in the sub-1GHz range (3MHz-1GHz) can affect the controller’s electrical system in two ways. 

1. In rare cases, interference can affect the battery monitoring system (BMS) chipset, triggering an overvoltage tamper event that erases essential configuration data. This may cause the controller to shut down, fail to restart, or stop charging. If the rear charging LED does not turn on when connected to the provided 100 W adapter, it may indicate an overvoltage event has wiped the BMS data. This specific scenario is most often seen when a sub-512 MHz radio’s antenna is placed within just a few inches of the controller’s left side while transmitting.
2. Moderate interference may cause temporary loss of communication with the drone. This occurs when external noise disrupts the controller’s central processing unit (CPU), slowing data handling and leading to delayed signals. Effects can include degraded video quality or, in some cases, triggering a return-to-home due to lost communications. Control typically restores within a few seconds once the interference stops.

Mitigation and Resolution

Skydio Actions

• We are upgrading the controller’s internal battery shielding to significantly reduce the chance of interference across a wide range of frequencies.
• We will release software updates to X10 and X10D flight systems over the coming weeks, including the controller. These updates will mitigate radio interference risk by detecting it on the controller in real-time to prioritize continued command and control while protecting against lost comms. Some controller buttons will be temporarily disabled when this occurs, but the pilot will remain in command and control of the drone.
• We are upgrading our wireless testing infrastructure to continuously validate that current and future products are immune to sub-GHz frequencies - we will be able to replay particular radio waveforms to reproduce real-world radio broadcasting scenarios, without the need to leverage licensed spectrum. 

Operator Actions

• Maintain at least 12 inches between transmitting radio antennas and the controller.
• Follow standard operating procedures to regularly verify your return-to-home settings in the event of a lost comms event.  
• Update your controller software to the latest software releases, when available, to receive interference alerts and other updates.
• If you encounter charging issues or the controller fails to power on, contact Skydio Support right away.
• Reach out to Skydio Support or your Customer Success Manager for help evaluating specific radio impacts.

As a reminder, third party radio interference that renders the controller permanently inoperable will be covered by Skydio under warranty.