Indoor drone inspections are tough enough: confined access, zero light, and the constant challenge of staying within safe battery margins. That’s why Smart Return-to-Home for the Flyability Elios 3 matters (Smart RTH). Smart RTH brings real autonomy into play, helping the drone make decisions about its own flight path, starting with how it gets home.
This is more than just a safety feature. It’s the first visible step in Flyability’s push toward more automated inspections.
Smart RTH is now available to all Elios 3 users with a Premium software subscription. If you want to know more about a Flyability Premium Software Subscription and what’s included, chat to us today.
What sets Smart RTH apart is its use of real-time environmental awareness. As the Elios 3 flies, it’s constantly building a 3D map of its surroundings. If the battery hits a threshold or the pilot taps the RTH button, the drone doesn’t just retrace its steps, it calculates the shortest, safest route back, dodging obstacles and adapting on the fly.
This level of onboard decision-making signals a shift in what the Elios 3 can do. Smart RTH frees the pilot from planning the return leg and lets them stay focused on the task: capturing inspection data.
The update includes a flight time management gauge to give pilots a clear view of their available flight time. When it’s time to return, the system notifies the pilot and offers the option to trigger Smart RTH.
Once activated, the drone takes control of the return, plotting its own path based on the mapped environment. If needed, the pilot can step in at any time, but Smart RTH is designed to complete the return autonomously, no matter how complex the environment.
Elliot Cummins, Chief Remote Pilot at Sphere puts it simply:
“Smart RTH is a bit of a game-changer for survey ops in tight or tricky spaces. When you're flying the Elios 3 underground or inside an asset, knowing it can find its way back on its own takes a heap of pressure off. It means we can focus on the data, not stressing about getting the drone home.”
Smart RTH is included in Flyability’s Premium software tier, along with the new flight time gauge. If you haven’t upgraded yet, now’s the time to unlock these features and get ready for the next wave of Elios 3 autonomy tools.
Want to learn more or speak with someone about upgrading your Elios 3? Contact us today
