Skydio X2E Release Notes
Published: Updated:
[accordion heading="February 7, 2023"]
| Skydio X2 software version | 21.1.112 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller version | 21.1.35 |
What's in this release
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
For instructions on updating your batteries to version 21.1.112 click here.
[note] 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. [/note]
Other Improvements
- Resolved a Lost Connection issue where a drone flying in GPS Night Flight would return and hover, ignoring the Land Once Returned setting
[/accordion]
January 10, 2023
| Skydio X2E drone software version | 21.1.106 |
|
Skydio Enterprise Controller version |
21.1.31 |
[info text="This update will be released gradually over the course of one week. Monitor your controller for notifications that your drone has an available update. "]
NEW
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.
Read What is the Panorama skill? for more information.
Search by address on the Enterprise Controller
In addition to searching using coordinates, you can now easily search by address or location using maps on the Skydio Enterprise Controller.
- Enable Coordinates and select the search icon on the map
- Select Search by Location to input an address or location name
ENHANCEMENTS
KeyFrame Improvements
Visual Positioning Improvements
We have improved KeyFrame to greatly reduce drift and increase accuracy for long-distance and when loading and replaying KeyFrames.
- Replaying KeyFrame in the same flight will result in less drift over time.
- Reloading KeyFrame over multiple flights is now more reliable.
Scout Improvements
Positioning Behavior
You can now set the drone’s behavior to automatically reposition itself to match changes in the subject’s heading, the drone will maintain its position relative to the tracked Skydio Enterprise Controller or Beacon. 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.
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.
- Enable this setting within the Return Behaviors menu
- Select Return to Home Point under Low Battery
Read How to set Low Battery Return Behaviors for more information.
Additional telemetry information
Reference additional telemetry information of your current flight in the top left of the live camera feed. New in-flight telemetry information includes:
- Compass Heading (displayed in degrees ranging 0°- 359° and cardinal directions)
Tutorials Section
To access instructional how-tos, navigate to the INFO tab and select the new Tutorials menu listed under Support. Tutorials include:
- Hand Wave Guide
- Safety Guide
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.
- Access under Device Settings > Controller > Control Mode
Other Enhancements
- The maximum Height Ceiling has changed from 32 ft (10 m) to 9 ft (3 m)
[accordion heading="October 6, 2022"]
| Skydio X2E drone software version: | 21.0.64 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller software version: | 21.0.45 |
What's in this release:
Minor fixes and performance improvements
[/accordion]
[accordion heading="September 19, 2022"]
| Skydio X2E drone software version: | 21.0.53 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller software version: | 21.0.42 |
What's in this release:
Minor fixes and performance improvements
[/accordion]
August 31, 2022
| Skydio X2E drone software version: | 21.0.53 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller software version: | 21.0.37 |
NEW
Skydio Scout
Introducing Scout, a new Flight Skill that 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.
- Track the GPS position of your Enterprise Controller or Beacon
- Adjust drone position and camera orientation while tracking a subject at a fixed distance
- Gives the drone operator more freedom to focus on the live video feed to better assess the surrounding environment
Beacon Compatibility with Skydio Scout
When using Scout, the Skydio Beacon is compatible with Skydio X2. When Beacon is connected, you will see a tab under Device Settings that displays the battery percentage and current software version.
Lock Beacon Controls
Prevent button interactions on your Beacon by enabling Lock Beacon Controls. This ensures that unwanted actions, such as an accidental command to stop tracking, are avoided during flight.
- Enable this within the Beacon menu tab located in Device settings
Skydio ATAK Integration
The integration of the Skydio Enterprise Controller and the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) app allows you to seamlessly monitor your Skydio fleet. ATAK provides geospatial information about your drones and controllers for increased situational awareness in the field.
- Launch ATAK by selecting the ATAK menu tab within the Device settings
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 with the battery requires a Hand Launch. Follow the recommended safety guidelines before performing a Quick Launch. [/note]
Hand Wave Calibration Guide
A visual tutorial will guide you through the calibration process the first time you initiate a Hand Wave Calibration. Access the instructions at any time by navigating to the INFO menu and selecting Hand Wave Guide located under the Support section.
Visual Safety Guide
After updating, you will be prompted to review the new Safety Guide Agreement designed to help you avoid collisions and fly safely. Visual reminders will be accessible anytime by navigating to the INFO tab and selecting Safety Guide located under the Support section.
The updated Safety Guide Agreement provides information that will make your flying experience more enjoyable.
- How to avoid collisions
- Best environments for flight
- How to avoid injury
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 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 from the case the drone will continue landing in place. Select the case to revert back to a case landing. [/note]
Other Improvements
- Improved hovering performance while flying in GPS Night Flight
- While charging or resting, the gimbal will switch to a relaxed state
Additional Enterprise Release Notes
[accordion heading="June 29, 2022"]
| Skydio X2E drone software version: | 19.4.18 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller software version: | 20.1.30 |
What's in this release:
-
Minor fixes and performance improvements
[/accordion]
[accordion heading="June 16, 2022"]
| Skydio X2E drone software version: | 19.4.15 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller software version: | 20.1.30 |
[note text="While updating, you may notice your update progress revert from Step 3 to Step 2. This is an expected bug. Wait a moment and your drone should continue updating as normal."]
New
Thermal Settings
Thermal imaging detects infrared radiation to help see objects in the dark by distinguishing the relative temperature to help you see warmer objects such as people and animals, against cooler backdrops. There are now more settings available to meet your operational requirements.
Automatic Gain Control (AGC) Tuning - With AGC Tuning, the gain, or signal noise, in your thermal image will automatically optimize for the contrast you have selected. Options include:
| Reconnaissance uses the lowest contrast settings. The temperatures in your image will be represented with a narrow range of colors or shades. |  |
| Low contrast displays a broader range of color than Reconnaissance, allowing for more defined temperature differentiation. |  |
| Medium contrast is the default setting. As you continue to add contrast to your image, you will see temperatures being represented with more colors, giving you greater detail in your thermal imagery. |  |
| High contrast will show temperatures using a wide range of colors, providing you with the highest level of thermal imagery detail. |  |
To change your thermal imaging presets, go to Device Settings > Controller > On-screen Display > AGC Tuning. Tuning presets are available for all thermal palettes.
Region of Interest
You now have the ability to select a Region of Interest (ROI) on your image and apply Automatic Gain Control to that specific area. The area inside the ROI will be optimized with AGC, while the area outside the region of interest can still be viewed, but not optimized.
-
Specifying ROI is useful in situations when you need to quickly and easily diagnose thermal irregularities by ignoring sections of a thermal reading that are irrelevant to you.
-
To change your region of interest, go to Device Settings > Controller > On-screen Display > Thermal. Drag the ROI slider to increase or decrease your region of interest.
Enhancements
Thermal Video Feed
New updates bring you an improved infrared stream quality. Previously, we used a constant bit rate regardless of the wireless channel conditions. We now use an adaptive bit rate that adjusts depending on the wireless channel conditions of your range and environment.
-
Maximum bit rate up to 1Mbps
Media Sync Improvements
-
Skydio Cloud bug fixes and improvements including faster uploads with Skydio Media Sync in the US and globally
[/accordion]
[accordion heading="May 5, 2022"]
| Skydio X2E drone software version: | 19.0.54 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller software version: | 19.0.48 |
What's in this release:
-
Bug fixes
[/accordion]
[accordion heading="April 21, 2022"]
| Skydio X2E drone software version: | 19.0.54 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller software version: | 19.0.47 |
What's in this release:
-
Bug fixes
[/accordion]
April 13, 2022
| Skydio X2E drone software version: | 19.0.50 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller software version: | 19.0.44 |
What's in this release:
- Bug fixes
March 29, 2022
| Skydio X2E drone software version: | 19.0.50 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller software version: | 19.0.42 |
New
Hand Wave Calibration
You now have a new Hand Wave magnetometer calibration method for GPS Night Flight. To use the faster and easier method of calibration:
|
 |
| Visit Skydio X2 GPS Night Flight for more information about the calibration methods. | |
Connection Status
You can now view the strength of the signal connection between the controlling device and your Skydio X2E. Select the Connection Status icon to display the connected drone status, signal strength, GPS quality, and satellite count.
Button Mapping for Skydio Enterprise Controller
| Skydio Enterprise Controller buttons L2 and R2 are now programmable. Select from: |  |
|
 |
Enhancements
KeyFrame Improvements
When playing back a KeyFrame sequence, you can now choose to have Skydio prioritize Accuracy or Speed.
|
KeyFrame Settings > Prioritize |
The maximum KeyFrame speed for Skydio X2 remains at 11 mph (5 m/s)
Dynamic Channel Selection
When set to auto, your Skydio X2E will automatically monitor signal interference and move to a clearer channel to improve wireless transmission signal quality during flight.
Save thermal photos
You now have the ability to choose whether or not you save thermal photos when a color photo is captured on your Skydio X2E Color/Thermal.
[info text="This does not affect the Thermal PiP display."]
New VehicleName in Photo EXIF Data
Easily differentiate between the Skydio X2 Color and Skydio X2 Color/Thermal camera models with updated naming in the embedded EXIF/XMP image data.
- Skydio X2 Color the VehicleName is displayed as X2 Wide
- Skydio X2 Color/Thermal the VehicleName is displayed as X2 Narrow
Emergency Flight Termination
When flying with the Enterprise Controller you will now have the option to terminate your flight in the event of an extreme emergency. Press and hold the Land and Return buttons on the controller for three seconds while in flight to immediately stop your drone's motors.
March 2 & 7, 2022
| Skydio X2E Vehicle Software Version |
15.11.35 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller software version: |
18.0.17 |
What's in this release:
- Bug fixes
February 9 & 14, 2022
| Skydio X2E Vehicle Software Version |
15.11.33 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller software version: |
18.0.13 |
What's in this release:
- Bug fixes
January 26, 2022
| Skydio X2E drone software version: | 15.11.29 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller software version: | 18.0.9 |
New
Directional Pad (D-pad) Functionality
The directional pad on the Skydio Enterprise controller is now functional. You can use the D-pad to scroll through menus and select settings.
-
- Push up, down, left, or right to navigate through menus and settings
- Press in to select
- To adjust a slider setting, scroll until the slider is highlighted and press down to select. The slider will turn blue to indicate it is active. Push left or right to adjust slider values, and press down to confirm
- Usable both on the ground and during flight
Enhancements
Radio channel selection
You now have the ability to manually select your radio frequency channel to avoid congestion from other signals while in flight.
January 4, 2022
| Skydio X2E drone software version: | 15.11.29 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller software version: | 15.11.35 |
New
KeyFrame
KeyFrame is a new autonomous skill that offers even inexperienced pilots the ability to choreograph professional cinematic aerial shots by capturing continuous, complex video with smooth camera motion. KeyFrame flights can be flown repeatedly, with varying degrees of complexity, subtle camera moves, speed adjustments, and obstacle avoidance. Set up your sequence by adding up to 100 keyframes in a 3D space. Adjust the camera framing at each keyFrame to create dynamic, multi-point flight paths. You can reverse, speed up, slow down or repeat your custom flight path and watch as Skydio X2 smoothly and autonomously flies from point to point.
Enhancements
Disable Return when Disconnected
You now have the option to toggle off the Return when Disconnected setting and the corresponding Lost Connection settings below it. When toggled off, Skydio X2 will not return if it loses connection—it will hover until it reaches low battery and land.
Improved video feed at long ranges
Video throughput has been improved when flying at long ranges, resulting in smoother, clearer video streaming to the controller.
Radio channel selection
You now have the ability to manually select your radio frequency channel to avoid congestion from other signals.
Fixes
Zoom support for photos
Your photos will now be saved at the zoom level at which they were captured.
Radio sensitivity issue improved
-
- previously Skydio X2 was overly de-sensing its radios in response to interference, which was causing poor signal quality
- Skydio X2 is now able to dynamically adjust the sensitivity of its radios according to the level of interference the drone is experiencing resulting in better signal quality and control range in all environments
September 28, 2021
Skydio is proud to announce exciting new features in our software release designed for a more safe and intuitive flying experience now available for Skydio X2E.
| Skydio X2E drone version: | 15.10.17 |
| Skydio Enterprise Controller version: | 15.10.5 |
For more information visit:
Access Skydio X2E Manuals, Checklists, and Guides
Access 3D Scan Software Manuals
Getting Started on Skydio Cloud
Skydio X2 Color
Skydio is proud to announce the availability of Skydio X2 Color, a new configuration with a color-only payload optimized for mapping and inspection. Skydio X2 color incorporates AI-driven flight autonomy software and advanced geo-stabilized imagery systems for enterprise-level monitoring, surveying, and assessment of critical infrastructure.
Contact a Skydio Sales Representative to purchase Skydio X2 Color.
Skydio Autonomy NEW
Map Coordinates
When viewing your maps, creating waypoint missions, or orbiting a point of interest, you now have the option to display latitude and longitude coordinates. The position of Skydio X2, the controller, Home Point, and Fly Here Now will display coordinates on the map in real-time. Disable the setting if you do not want coordinates displayed. Your selection will persist across flights and power cycles.
Find Drone - If the Coordinates setting is enabled, the coordinates of your drone's current or last known location are displayed, making it easier for you to locate your lost drone.
Thermal Palette (X2 Color/Thermal Only)
Skydio X2 Color/Thermal now has more thermal palettes to choose from for efficient analysis of your environment. The thermal camera assigns each pixel a unique color or shade based on a relative temperature data point. Changing the thermal palette can help highlight specific warm or cold people, objects, or points of interest for better identification confidence and decision-making. Thermal palette selection persists across flights and power cycles.
| White Hot (default) - displays warmer objects in white and cooler objects in black to generate detailed images—well suited for use in urban environments. |  |
| Black Hot - is an inverted White Hot, displaying warmer objects as black and cooler objects as white. |  |
| Rainbow - uses colors to display subtle variations in scenes with low-contrast heat differentials. |  |
| Ironbow - uses color to display heat distribution and thermal anomalies. Warmer objects are represented in lighter colors and colder objects in darker colors. |  |
Indoor Height Ceiling
When flying indoors without GPS, Skydio will prevent you from flying above 66 feet (20 meters). With this update, we’ve added the option to disable this Indoor Height Ceiling. If you choose to disable your indoor height ceiling, make sure your drone stays within 66 ft of surfaces to ensure robust visual navigation.
-
- By default the Indoor Height Ceiling is enabled; disabling the Indoor Height Ceiling setting does not persist across flights or power cycles.
Memory Card Overwrite
Skydio has made it easier for you to manage your media storage space by automatically deleting old media to ensure that you can always start a new flight without waiting. Toggle this setting on to automatically delete the oldest media stored on the SD memory card. This setting will persist across flights and power cycles.
View Last Flights
The View Last Flight feature is designed to assist with locating your Skydio X2 in the event of a crash, emergency landing, or low battery landing in an unintended location. Review video of the 10 most recent flights, even if your Controller is not connected to your Skydio X2.
-
- View the recorded video as Skydio X2 lands to help you identify the location of your lost drone.
Anti-flicker
You now have the ability to adjust anti-flicker settings if you experience flickering in your video. This setting is for users located outside of North America, in countries where the frequency of the alternating current in household electrical outlets is 50 Hz.
-
- 60 Hz (default) - North America
- 50 Hz - Australia and New Zealand
Lost Connection Return Behaviors
Choose how your want your drone to behave if the signal to your controlling device is lost:
-
- Wait Before Return - Specify the amount of time that you want Skydio X2 to wait before it initiates a return flight, allowing time to reconnect.
- Land Once Returned - When enabled, Skydio X2 will return, hover for a specified amount of time, then land.
- Wait Before Land - Specify the amount of time between 0 to 300 seconds (default - 240 seconds) that you want Skydio X2 to wait before landing. Only available when Land Once Return is toggled on.
Flight History .CSV
You can now save a record of flight information to a flight_log.csv file in the root folder of the media SD card containing the following flight data:
-
- Vehicle name
- Flight ID
- Launch latitude/longitude and time
- Land latitude/longitude and time
Zoom in While Tracking Subject
You can now zoom in while tracking a subject. Initiate the Track in Place skill and digitally zoom in up to 3x with color and 1.5x with thermal for a clear and enlarged view of the individual or vehicle being tracked.
Skydio Autonomy ENHANCED
Lights
Turn the RGB navigation lights off, and they will now stay off from the moment you power on your Skydio X2 and throughout your flight. The setting will persist across flights and power cycles.
Skydio Autonomy FIXED
-
- Improved zoom tracking for better case landings
- Media will display immediately after landing
- Return to Home joystick issues solve
Skydio Cloud Available for Skydio X2 (Requires license purchase)
Skydio Cloud* is now available for Skydio X2. As the foundational service within Skydio Cloud, Fleet Manager provides federated management for distributed Skydio X2 operations. Access telemetry data uploaded to Skydio Cloud to view flight logs and robust reporting on usage metrics. Media Sync* provides for automatic upload and management of your 3D Scan* images and videos. Designed to be accessed using a web browser or through API integration, users can store, view, organize, and manage their organization's in-flight digital assets. Skydio Cloud AWS - U.S. Region cloud infrastructure meets the highest level of security, compliance, and data protection.
*Additional license required - to purchase Skydio Cloud, Media Sync, and Skydio 3D Scan contact a Skydio Sales Representative
3D Scan Available for Skydio X2 (Requires license purchase)
Skydio 3D Scan is unprecedented adaptive scanning software that is now available for purchase to use with Skydio X2. 3D Scan automates data capture for asset inspection and scene reconstruction to efficiently capture a complete photographic dataset that documents every angle of a scene, ensuring accurate coverage with sub-millimeter precision with a fraction of the time and the risk. You can perform higher quality inspections in less time, with minimal pilot training. The precise, visually geotagged imagery generated by Skydio 3D Scan is easily exported to any mainstream photogrammetry software, generating high-quality photosets without the mountains of extra data required by traditional capture methods.
2D GPS Capture, a new 3D Scan capture mode, offers you the ability to preplan your flight using a top-down map view.
For more information about what's new with 3D Scan, visit our Skydio 3D Scan Release Notes.
Explore More
Explore related articles for additional information
Access Skydio X2E Manuals, Checklists, and Guides
Getting Started on Skydio Cloud
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