Elios 3 Return To Home & Resume Inspection - User Guide
Introduction
Smart Return-To-Home (Smart RTH) can autonomously return the Elios 3 back to the take-off location, using its knowledge of the 3D environment to find the shortest way home, even in complex geometries. After returning, it is possible to resume the inspection, returning the Elios 3 to where Smart RTH was previously initiated to continue an inspection.
Prerequisites
The following is needed for access to Smart RTH & Resume Inspection.
Premium Software subscription
Smart RTH & Resume Inspection are available through paid subscription.
Updated Firmware version
Cockpit and Elios 3 firmware versions to 2025.02 or newer.
LiDAR payload
The Elios 3 needs to have a LiDAR payload equipped.
Important Considerations
The Smart Return-to-Home & Resume Inspection autonomous features are not intended for dynamic environments and care needs to be taken when using to avoid incidence.
When using Smart RTH & Resume Inspection:
Always maintain visual contact and keep hands on the remote control.
Smart RTH & Resume Inspection may not work in all environments or conditions.
Thin obstacles may not be detected and could cause collisions.
LiDAR blindspot - Smart RTH & Resume Inspection is unable to see the bottom front of the Elios 3 when traveling forward.
This limits the Elios 3’s ability to detect dynamic obstacles that are present when returning.
By tapping the Inspect button, you confirm you have read and accepted Flyability’s End User License Agreement (EULA), Privacy Notice, and Automation Disclaimer. All these documents are available directly from the Cockpit app.
Smart Return-To-Home (RTH)
The Smart RTH feature can only be activated by the pilot. Once triggered, the Elios 3 will return to 1 meter (3.2 feet) above the take-off location or the closest safe position. It is important to monitor the return in case pilot intervention is needed.
Interface
Smart RTH has additional elements available in Cockpit enabling its function. Refer to the screenshot and numbered descriptions:
(1) Flight management gauge
The flight management gauge displayed in Cockpit provides a visual representation of the drone's remaining flight time. Each color represents each stage of the remaining flight time.
Time (01:18)
Shows the estimated remaining flight time. Calculated using the remaining energy of the battery and expected power consumption of the platform. Monitor available remaining flight time.
Green
Shows the estimated remaining time available for inspection before reaching the return threshold. Monitor time remaining before returning home
Yellow
The suggestion to return to home based on the selected safety buffer. (e.g. “Just in time: 20s” or “Play it safe: 1 min”). Suggested to select Smart RTH as needed.
H
The yellow H marker indicates the last possible moment to manually trigger the RTH before the drone no longer has enough battery to return safely. Suggested to activate the Smart Return-To-Home button if needed.
Red
The estimated time is not enough for the drone to return home. The system estimates there is not enough battery for the Elios 3 to return to the take-off point.
(2) RTH Button
Tap the Return to Home button for the feature to engage. This can be initiated once the button is green or orange. Cockpit will also suggest its selection based on the safety buffer selected.
RTH is not available.
Visible while the Elios 3 is within 1.5m of the take-off point, after RTH successfully completes, and without a premium software subscription.
RTH function is available
Tap to initiate the RTH function. The pilot must monitor the RTH.
RTH function is available, but the quality of the map has degraded. Use with caution.
Tap to initiate RTH function. The pilot must monitor the RTH.
RTH function is not available.
RTH function suggested based on the safety time buffer selected.
Tap to initiate the Smart RTH function, and monitor return.
RTH function suggested to select based on the safety time buffer selected. Use with caution.
Tap to initiate RTH function, and monitor closely.
RTH in process. Elios 3 returning home.
Tap to Stop Smart Return-To-Home. Monitor to ensure safe return.
Smart RTH engaged too late. The battery lacks sufficient charge to return to home.
Take manual control and land in a safe place.
(3) Path computation
The Smart RTH function continuously calculates and displays the shortest way to the take off point. This route is displayed in green for visibility.
The Elios 3 is capable of detecting obstacles along the trajectory of Smart Return-To-Home (RTH) features, and will automatically avoid them if an alternative obstacle-free (from drone’s perspective) path can be computed.
If no alternative path is found, the drone will continue along the original trajectory until it touches the obstacle. It will attempt to gently push through (e.g., a door), and if unsuccessful, it will stop, hover in place, and display the following cockpit warning: RTH function is disabled because the drone is stuck. Move the drone and restart RTH. [T08]
(4) Take-off point
The yellow H-icon on the live map indicates the take-off location.
Set the safety buffer
Select the amount of buffer for calculating the Smart RTH suggested time. This feature is accessible in the General Settings menu:
(1) There are three options:
Selection
Description
Just in time: 20s
Uses a 20 second buffer when calculating the time for the suggested RTH button.
Play it safe: 1 min
Uses a 60 second buffer when calculating the time for the suggested RTH button.
Automation Disclaimer
Link to the Automation Disclaimer
How to use Smart RTH
Steps to activate the Smart RTH feature:
Read the EULA, Privacy Notice, Automation Disclaimer. By tapping the Inspect button, you confirm you have read and accepted Flyability’s End User License Agreement (EULA), Privacy Notice, and Automation Disclaimer.
The EULA, Privacy Notice, Automation Disclaimer are presented on the PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST, before taking-off and starting the inspection. The Automation Disclaimer is also present in the Settings menu.
Take off and commence the flight. Smart RTH will not be available/visible until the feature has finished initializing.
Tap the Smart RTH button to initiate the Smart Return-To-Home function. Maintain constant observation, and readiness to take control if needed.
The LiDAR is unable to detect clear water, transparent objects and other objects in its blind spot. It is important to maintain visual contact to avoid landing in unsafe conditions, or colliding with moving/moved obstacles/persons.
Smart RTH trusts a trajectory it has already flown and may return at maximum speed when following these trajectories. New obstacles/persons presented are exposed to the danger of collision.
Smart RTH will return control to the pilot to land once 1m (3.2 feet) above the take-off location.
Resume Inspection
Proceeding an initiated Smart RTH flight, the Resume Inspection option appears after successful relocalization and take-off. The pilot can initiate this feature using the Return button or cancel by flying 10 meters (32 feet) from the take off location.
Interface
The Resume Inspection feature has additional elements available in Cockpit enabling its function. Refer to the screenshot and numbered descriptions:
(1) Resume Inspection buttons
Tap the Return button to engage, or Stop button to pause the Resume Inspection feature.
Resume Inspection function is available.
Tap to initiate the Resume Inspection function, and monitor flight.
Drone returning to RTH start point.
Monitor flight. Tap to Stop the return to the RTH start point.
Drone has returned to the last RTH start point.
Take control.
(2) RTH start point
The orange saucer on the live map indicates the RTH start point location.
(3) Path computation
The Resume Inspection function has the same object avoidance behavior as Smart RTH, and uses previously stored graph data to autonomously navigate back to the RTH start point. This route is displayed in yellow/green for visibility.
Limitations
Limitations to be aware of for safe Smart Return-To-Home operation:
Blind spot
The LiDAR scanner can’t see in the front bottom part of the Elios 3.
Dynamic obstacles may not be seen by the Elios 3.
The field of view is limited and could miss moving features. Return to Home is not supported in dynamic environments.
Appearance of new obstacles in previously flown flight path. e.g. door closes, someone stands in the way.
RTH trusts the trajectory it has already flown and may return at maximum speed when following these trajectories. New obstacles/persons presented are exposed to the danger of collision.
Transparent objects
LiDAR can’t see glass or other transparent materials. The Elios 3 may think the space is traversable and try to go through, which could lead to a crash
Water
Clear water is not detected by LiDAR, and not considered in the RTH path, which could lead to crashes. Same when emergency landing, water will not be detected and should be avoided by the pilot.
Thin objects
LiDAR can’t detect thin probes and wires, leading to collision risks
Dust
Dust may be misinterpreted as obstacles, leading to repeated path replanning. Performance may be affected in environments with high density of dust.
“No-fly zone”
Any asset with an "excluded" area, such as dangerous zones in a nuclear plant or the side of a bridge with active traffic, should be considered carefully. The RTH optimal path may suggest flying over an "excluded" area.
Strong Wind
When strong airflow halts the Elios 3’s progress, this will be detected as obstruction and deactivate RTH.
Drone may slow down unexpectedly outdoors or when a shortcut is found.
The velocity in AUTO mode is linked to the amount of data collected in the immediate vicinity. Velocity increases/decreases where the Elios 3 knows the environment better/less.
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