Flyability enhances mapping drone with autonomous return feature

Flyability has introduced a 'Smart Return-to-Home' (RTH) feature for its Elios 3 drone, enhancing its autonomous capabilities. This feature allows the drone to return to its take-off point using the shortest available path while avoiding obstacles in real time.

During flight, Smart RTH monitors battery levels through a new flight management gauge, notifying the pilot when it is time to return. The feature is activated via Flyability’s Cockpit flight app, and pilots can take manual control at any point. By automating the return process, the system helps pilots focus on inspections without concerns about battery management or navigation in complex environments.

Lidar-based flight plan

Smart RTH builds on the Elios 3’s autonomy by using Lidar scans to generate a flight plan that the drone executes independently. This onboard autonomy engine lays the foundation for future developments, including advanced collision avoidance and obstacle recognition.

“With Smart Return-to-Home, the Elios 3 autonomously navigates the most complex indoor mazes and can even squeeze through manholes barely larger than itself, surpassing the capabilities of any other robot. This is a major step toward fully autonomous operations, enabled by state-of-the-art navigation algorithms, our Flyaware mapping engine combining Lidar and cameras, and the Elios 3's unique collision tolerance,” said Adrien Briod, Flyability co-founder and CTO. “This development aligns with our vision of making drone inspections effortless for anyone, even in the most demanding missions, and we’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in confined-space navigation,” he added.