Skydio Release Notes (X10D) firmware v39.204

May 8, 2025

Skydio X10D ATO software version 39.204

Skydio X10D ATO Controller version 39.137

This update provides new features and improvements to navigation, communication, integrations, and the tools used for tactical ISR.

Note: This update will require you to re-pair the controller and vehicle.

The update file may disappear from the USB-C drive after the update completes.

Please contact your Program Manager or Acc​ount Executive if you are interested in the Advanced or Special Access Features.

This release supports Skydio X10D Connect MH and Skydio Connect SL.

NAVIGATION

Navigation Indicators

A more informative VIO/GPS Indicator helps you quickly assess whether the drone is relying on GPS or VIO:

• Gray background highlights the primary navigation mode
• White status bars indicate VIO/GPS stability
• One white bar indicates a degraded state that may be close to failure
• Zero white bars indicate that the navigation source has failed
• GPS Off will display if GPS has been toggled off
• The yellow compass indicates GPS is awaiting heading
• If the GPS heading has not been set, you will receive a notification prompting you to move the drone laterally to establish heading.
• If GPS and VIO navigation modes are unavailable, the drone will enter Attitude Mode

Launch in Smaller Spaces with Lower Clearance Requirements

Skydio X10D can launch in more confined environments, both indoors and outdoors, thanks to a reduced minimum overhead clearance requirement.

• Now only 6 ft 7 in (~2 m) is needed to launch
• Previously required 10 ft (3 m) of overhead space
• Enables launching from complex environments, such as dense forests, tight spaces, or covered areas

Note: Skydio X10 is capable of launching with as little as ~6'7" of vertical clearance.

However, this is intended for constrained environments and should not replace the standard 10 ft (3 m) recommended clearance in all directions.

Operating in tighter spaces may increase the risk of collision, serious bodily injury, or damage during launch.

Low Launch

Low Launch limits the launch height to 3 ft (1 m), ensuring the pilot has quicker flight control and allowing tactical users to maintain a lower profile.

• Select Global settings > Launch menu > Low Launch Toggle On/Off
• Supported with Skydio NightSense
• The setting persists across flights and power cycles
• If Obstacle Avoidance is disabled, Low Launch will not be available
• If Attitude Mode is enabled, Low Launch will not be available

Visual Navigation at Higher Altitudes

Skydio X10D now maintains stable Visual Navigation (VIO) at altitudes up to 984 ft (300 m) — a significant increase from the previous 164 ft (50 m) limit.

This enhances flexibility in GPS-denied environments, such as urban canyons or high-altitude tactical operations.

If GPS is lost, Skydio X10D maintains continuous Visual Navigation—even at high altitudes.

• Increased situational awareness with high-altitude perspectives in challenging GPS environments
• Operate reliably in cityscapes where GPS signals may be unreliable
• Maintain mission continuity even ​if GPS is lost

Note: High-altitude VIO is optimized for daylight.

When flying at night, Visual Navigation will work best in environments with street or building lights that the drone can reference for positioning.

VIO will degrade as you fly at higher altitudes, as there are fewer lights.

Monitor VIO and GPS health in the telemetry bar and adjust flights based on your environment.

Always follow the aviation regulations in your country and jurisdiction.

Disable GPS Navigation

Disabling GPS navigation allows for flight in GPS-denied environments or when GPS navigation is degraded.

• Enable preflight or during flight in the Sensing menu
• GPS can be toggled on in flight without requiring a reboot or re-initialization
• When GPS is toggled off, X10D switches to VIO or ATTI navigation
• Monitor real-time telemetry provided by the system to the MAVLink client
• Fly missions using MAVLink-defined waypoints without relying on GPS coordinates
• Default GPS On and the setting does not persist across flights and power cycles

Note: Features that use a map position, such as crosshair coordinates, are unavailable unless an Anchor Point is set.

Anchor Point for Visual Navigation

Navigate in GPS-denied environments by setting a reference position on a map, allowing the drone to fly, execute waypoints, and return home.

1. Toggle off GPS Navigation
2. Select the Map settings and Set Anchor Point
3. Drag the map to place the anchor point at the estimated position of the drone
4. Long press on a visible feature on the map (ensure the feature matches in the camera view) to set heading point
5. Rotate the drone until the heading point appears in the camera view
6. Slide the vertical marker left or right and align it precisely with the feature
7. Adjust or relocalize the anchor point mid-mission if needed

Known Issues

After adjusting the heading alignment in the camera view, the heading alignment marker becomes unresponsive and can no longer be dragged. Cancel and return to the previous step, then re-enter the heading step. Complete all X10D movements and camera adjustments before setting the heading marker.

Attitude Mode Flight

Launch, fly, and land in Attitude Mode when GPS and VIO are unavailable, with the ability to transition between navigation modes as needed. Launch and fly in Attitude Mode when GPS is disabled and there is insufficient light for VIO.

• Select Global settings > Sensing menu > toggle Attitude Mode on
• Throttle down for 1 second to launch in Attitude Mode
• Hold down L2 button for temporary Attitude Mode

Note: Not supported on Skydio X10D Connect SL.

Heading Return

Your X10D returns using a compass to assign a heading by autonomously flying in an operator-defined direction when navigation and communication are lost.

• Select the Return menu > Lost Connections > Attitude Mod