Introduction
The future of autonomous flight landed with a bang at Skydio Ascend 2025 in Aptos, California, and the team from Grace3 Technologies was there to witness the groundbreaking evolution of the robotics landscape firsthand. Skydio’s annual conference is always a beacon for innovation, but this year's announcements, particularly the introduction of the R10 indoor drone and the F10 fixed-wing platform, redefined what is possible for industries from public safety to infrastructure inspection.
A Game-Changer for Indoor Operations: The Skydio R10
For years, indoor reconnaissance has been a high-risk gap in the Drone as First Responder (DFR) ecosystem. The new Skydio R10 is the answer, and its reveal was one of the most exciting moments of the event.
The R10 is a compact, rugged indoor drone designed to give operators total confidence in tight, complex, and GPS-denied environments. It's built for the patrol officer, not just the specialized tactical team.
- Eyes Inside, Safely: At just 1.7 pounds with enclosed propeller guards, the R10 is built to take a hit and keep flying, utilizing Skydio’s renowned autonomy and NightSense for operation even in zero-light conditions.
- Mission Ready: It comes fully equipped with high-power onboard lighting and two-way audio communications (with an $82\text{ dB}$ speaker) to provide clear situational awareness and communication from a safe distance.
- DFR Integration: The R10 is seamlessly integrated into the existing Skydio ecosystem, meaning it uses the same controllers and software as the X10, finally providing a unified solution for both outdoor and interior response.
Grace3 Insight: The R10 fundamentally changes the safety calculation for first responders. It means sending a robot, not a person, into high-risk scenarios, providing critical intelligence before the door is ever crossed.
Extending the Horizon: Introducing the Skydio F10
While the R10 conquered the indoors, the introduction of the Skydio F10 fixed-wing drone signaled a massive leap forward for long-range, high-speed applications.
The F10 is engineered for missions that demand speed and endurance, extending the DFR reach to dozens of miles.
- Long-Range Power: The F10 boasts a planned flight time of over 90 minutes and speeds exceeding 80 mph, making it ideal for rural search and rescue, high-speed vehicle pursuits, and linear infrastructure inspection over vast distances.
- Autonomous Deployment: One of the most futuristic demonstrations was the F10’s Robotic Takeoff and Landing (RTOL) capability, enabling autonomous launch and recovery from a dedicated dock, minimizing operator effort and ensuring rapid, reliable deployment.
The X10, R10, and F10 now form a complete family of autonomous flying robots, each designed for a specific need: the X10 for outdoor overwatch, the R10 for interior clearance, and the F10 for long-range, high-speed coverage.
The Takeaway for Grace3 Technologies
Our attendance at Ascend 2025 reinforced Grace3 Technologies' commitment to delivering the most advanced and safest robotics solutions to our partners. The R10 and F10 are not just new products; they are force multipliers that enhance efficiency, reduce operational costs, and, most importantly, protect personnel.
Grace3 is excited to bring this new era of full-scene autonomy to our customers, integrating these powerful tools to ensure public safety, critical infrastructure, and national security are equipped with the best technology available.
