Skydio has taken a pivotal step in empowering developers by releasing the first in a series of Interface Control Documents (ICD) for the Skydio X10D platform. The Control and Telemetry ICD opens the door for integrating third-party control systems with Skydio drones using the MAVLink-based Robotics and Autonomous Systems – Air (RAS-A) protocol. This release highlights Skydio’s commitment to fostering an open ecosystem and supporting advanced drone operations.
Core Capabilities of the Control and Telemetry ICD
The newly released ICD focuses on enabling developers to pair their systems with the Skydio X10D drone and communicate seamlessly via the RAS-A protocol. This robust MAVLink capability is optimized for autonomous systems, with extensions for video and metadata transmission. Key capabilities unlocked by the ICD include:
- Real-Time Command and Control
Developers can use third-party controllers to command the X10D in real time, leveraging the RAS-A protocol’s precise and reliable communication pathways. Whether it's dynamic path planning, mode switching, or waypoint management, the document outlines how to implement these controls effectively. - Telemetry and Sensor Data Sharing
The X10D supports bidirectional telemetry sharing, enabling users to monitor critical metrics such as battery status, flight parameters, and geofencing data. Additionally, the ICD details how to stream sensor data and video directly from the drone, with support for RTP and RTSP video protocols, ensuring compatibility with popular media clients like VLC and gstreamer.
Enhanced Interoperability with MAVLink and RAS-A
The X10D implements the RAS-A MAVLink Control Link Interoperability Profile (IOP), making it one of the most advanced autonomous systems for third-party integration. Highlights include:
- Supported Microservices: These include Heartbeat, Mission, Command, Geofence (partial), Camera, Battery, and Ping protocols. These services allow developers to interact with the drone in a modular way, enabling everything from geofence uploads to camera adjustments.
- Protocol Extensions: Skydio has customized the RAS-A protocol to improve IP configuration flexibility and timeout thresholds, ensuring reliable communication over available radio systems.
While the ICD outlines known deviations from the RAS-A v1.2 standard—such as partial support for Gimbal Protocol V2 and exclusive use of cylindrical geofences—it also provides clear guidance for working within these parameters.
Seamless Pairing for Custom Controllers
Pairing with X10D can be achieved via wired or wireless methods, both of which are extensively documented. The ICD explains the pairing process for wired connections and RAS-A In-Band Pairing specifications for wireless configurations. Developers can also manually configure radios and LAN settings, offering full control over network architecture.
Real-Time Video and Metadata
X10D supports real-time video streaming using the AVC (H.264) codec, with options for RTP or RTSP delivery. Video metadata adheres to the MISB 0601 UAS Datalink Local Set standard, providing detailed telemetry such as aircraft heading, altitude, and sensor orientation. This metadata is invaluable for applications requiring situational awareness and precise tracking.
Why This Matters
The release of the Control and Telemetry ICD underscores Skydio’s dedication to enabling an open and collaborative development environment. By providing a clear and detailed guide to integrating third-party systems, Skydio empowers developers to innovate with their X10D drones. This document is the first of many, laying the groundwork for an ecosystem of tools and applications built around Skydio technology.
Explore the Control and Telemetry ICD to unlock the full potential of the Skydio X10D platform.
