Autel Robotics has released a critical firmware update for its Autel Robotics EVO II V3 drone. The update ensures that the drone complies with European Union (E.U.) and United Kingdom (U.K.) regulations. On its website, Autel states, “We strongly recommend that you perform this update to meet the regulation compliance requirement”.
Remote ID
From January 1st, 2024, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has required most drones to operate with an active and up-to-date remote identification system. The only exemptions are for Class 0 drones which weigh less than 250 grams, or Class 3 drones that are tethered. There is also an exemption for Class 4 drones, but this is effectively designed for model aircraft.
Firmware update
Firmware version V1.1.78 for the EVO II V3 drone adds the Optimized Remote ID function required for E.U. and U.K. legal compliance. The update also adds a new pairing method. You can now simply double click the battery power button to enter pairing mode. Other improvements include optimizations for video transmission feed performance, no-fly zone function and HDMI function. In addition, there are bug fixes for a GPS update error and other known issues.
Updating your drone
As well as the latest drone firmware, you need to use Autel Explorer APP version V3.1.107 and Remote Control version V1.3.9.15. The update process should be automatic. Autel says that when your drone is connected to the internet, the system will automatically prompt you to upgrade. It’s also important to make sure that the batteries are fully charged before starting the upgrade process. In addition, once your drone has updated, Autel says you should conduct a test flight to ensure that all functions are operating normally.
What we think
The update for the Autel EVO II v3 ensures that your drone complies with the legal requirements in the E.U. It also adds a new paring method along with other improvements and bug fixes. You should therefore look to complete the update process as soon as possible.
Pricing and availability
The firmware version V1.1.78 for the EVO II V3 drone is rolling out now. Autel advises that if you don’t receive the OTA (over-the-air) push for the update, you should check whether the current firmware version is V1.1.56 or above. If it is below V1.1.56, you need to upgrade to that version or above to receive the OTA push for V1.1.78.
