Critical Issue Discovered

Bill Schroeppel · Jan 27, 2016

I got this email a few minutes ago, anyone know this to true across the board?

Critical Issue Discovered
We discovered a DJI firmware issue that prevents the aircraft from executing Return-to-Home (RTH) on RC signal loss when any third-party app is connected via the SDK. Our testing does show that RTH will activate when the critical battery level is reached (configured in DJI GO), but this may result in the loss of your aircraft if the home location is too distant.

DJI indicated that this issue will be resolved in the next firmware update, but they have not given us a timeline. Until then, we strongly recommend that you do not operate Autopilot (or any third-party app) near the edge of signal range.

We will post updates on our homepage as we receive more information, so remember to check back often.

Thanks
The Autoflight Logic Team

J&L · Jan 27, 2016

Yes I received this too and thy posted on there Facebook page

Buckaye · Jan 27, 2016

Yeah got a notification from the autopilot app on this. Kudos to the autopilot team for getting the word out!

ViperNuke · Jan 27, 2016

Stick to DJI GO and you will be fine!!!

Bill Schroeppel · Jan 27, 2016

I just got this reply from FPV Camera:

It probably only affects Autopilot app, and I think none of other third-party apps using that way to implement waypoint mission.

n6vmo · Jan 27, 2016

That's why I stopped upgrading all together.

I am flying fine at:
P3A: W322 @ 1.04.0010
RC: GL300A @ 1.04.0001
Litchi v2.6.5

tcope · Jan 27, 2016

How many people have made flights using the Litchi app... and they have never pressed the RTH button? I'm betting they have and if there were issues, we would have heard about them.

I question if (as mentioned above) this only affects Autopilot.

ianwood · Jan 27, 2016

Effects all third party apps using the API including Litchi. Another defect brought to you by the DJI Quality Assurance Team (the one that doesn't exist)!

tcope · Jan 27, 2016

ianwood said:
Effects all third party apps using the API including Litchi. Another defect brought to you by the DJI Quality Assurance Team (the one that doesn't exist)!

So everyone using Litchi these past 6 months or so have never lost signal? Because according to Autopilot, the drone won't come back until critical battery. So if anyone lost signal they did not notice this? So far I question if this affects other apps as Autopilot claims.

ryantrax · Jan 27, 2016

Hmmm, I'll have to try out RTH on Litchi tonight and see if the 1.6 update killed it. I have use RTH fine in Litchi on previous firmware versions. I'm assuming 1.6 may have killed it.

ianwood · Jan 27, 2016

tcope said:
So everyone using Litchi these past 6 months or so have never lost signal? Because according to Autopilot, the drone won't come back until critical battery. So if anyone lost signal they did not notice this? So far I question if this affects other apps as Autopilot claims.

Likely a new defect from a recent API update. Unclear until DJI tells us what's happening.

alokbhargava · Jan 27, 2016

ianwood said:
Effects all third party apps using the API including Litchi. Another defect brought to you by the DJI Quality Assurance Team (the one that doesn't exist)!

...team that doesn't exist

Good one

alokbhargava · Jan 27, 2016

A question: why only third party apps are affected? Does DJI use special API?

This issue will affect all third party apps and will bring DJI App on top.

tcope · Jan 27, 2016

alokbhargava said:
A question: why only third party apps are affected? Does DJI use special API?

This issue will affect all third party apps and will bring DJI App on top.

As I understand it, yes. For example, in prior Phantom versions the DJI app was able to do a little more then 3rd party apps. DJI also does not need to work in and lock down certain parameters/calls within their app like they do with 3rd party apps. In other words, the 3rd party firmware needs to have "calls" set up that the developer can use within their app. This limits what they can do. DJI would not need to do this within their app.

I _still_ question Autopilot's claim. Anyone want to take their P3 out to 100' and turn off the controller. According to Autopilot, it won't RTH. I'm betting it does.

Wolfiesden · Jan 27, 2016

ViperNuke said:
Stick to DJI GO and you will be fine!!!

Well, if I stuck to 1 to 2 minute flights, maybe GO would be an option. But since it freezes after only 2 minutes or so, really not an option for me.

Wolfiesden · Jan 27, 2016

ianwood said:
Likely a new defect from a recent API update. Unclear until DJI tells us what's happening.

Like thats gonna happen.

alokbhargava · Jan 27, 2016

If this is a real defect, we should be happy that it's found and DJI would be able to plug it.

phantom13flyer · Jan 27, 2016

Never a problem with litchi using RTH

tcope · Jan 27, 2016

phantom13flyer said:
Never a problem with litchi using RTH

Needs to be a lost signal, not a button press.

Wolfiesden · Jan 27, 2016

Easy to test I suppose. Run it out a hundred feet or so and turn the RC off, no? I guess this is something i need to test before getting out on another 10k distance run.