Skydio starts shipping Controller 2 for X10, X10D and R10 drones

Skydio has begun delivering Controller 2, a handheld unit built for its X10, X10D and R10 aircraft, CEO Adam Bry said in a LinkedIn post on Sunday, November 8, according to DroneXL. The company announced the device on October 27.

Skydio production staff pose on the Packout 2.0 line with open cases and Controller 2 units. Photo: DroneXL

Controller 2 comes in the box with every new X10 and R10. Owners of aircraft already in the field can order it separately, DroneXL reported. Skydio first showed the controller at its Ascend event in September.

Bigger screen, heavier body

According to Skydio's spec sheet, Controller 2 weighs 1,530 grams (3.4 pounds), compared with 1,135 grams (2.5 pounds) for the X10 controller it replaces. It uses the same 9,600 mAh battery but runs about 45 minutes longer, with more than 5 hours 45 minutes of battery life. The ingress protection rating rises to IP55 from IP54, which adds protection against water jets.

The screen grows to 7 inches from 6.6 inches and changes type. The original controller used an AMOLED panel rated at 1,750 nits peak outdoor brightness, while Controller 2 has an LCD rated at 2,000 nits sustained. DroneXL noted that peak and sustained ratings measure different things, so the figures cannot be compared directly. As of November 8, none of Skydio's Controller 2 pages explained the extra weight, the outlet said.

Choice of 5G carriers

Controller 2 runs Skydio Flight Deck and takes a swappable 5G SIM card. The data plan can be bought through Skydio or supplied by an agency's own carrier. Skydio said this lets teams switch carriers when coverage differs between locations.

Skydio's spec sheet rates the 5G link's range as unlimited wherever cellular coverage exists. By comparison, the company's own radio link reaches 12 km (7.5 miles) and Microhard reaches 10 km (6.2 miles). X10D crews that need Microhard radios can use a separate version, Controller 2 MH, with External Radio Kit support.

The spec sheet describes the controller as NDAA compliant, with an AES-256 encrypted data link and trusted boot. DroneXL said Skydio's pages do not describe it as Blue UAS listed, although the company's X10, R10 and X10 dock were added to the Blue UAS Cleared List in July.

Bry's post also cites improved 5G performance, additional ports, and the company's Command software running on the controller, for missions that combine a dock and a controller. No price for Controller 2 appeared on Skydio's pages as of November 8, DroneXL reported.