Autel Robotics X-Star User manual

Trademark Acknowledgement
X-Star™, Starlink™ and Starpoint™ are trademarks of Autel Robotics Co., Ltd.,
registered in China, the United States and other countries. The Autel®logo is a
trademark of Autel Intelligent Technology Corp., Ltd. registered in the United States
and other countries. All other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective holders.
Copyright Warning
No part of this manual may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, such as electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of Autel
Robotics.
Disclaimer
All information, specications and illustrations in this manual are based on the
latest information available at the time of printing. The content of this manual is
subject to change. Autel Robotics reserves the right to make changes at any time
without notice. Please download the latest version from http://www.autelrobotics.
com. While information of this manual has been carefully checked for accuracy,
no guarantee is given to the completeness and correctness of the contents,
including but not limited to the product specications, functions, and illustrations.
When using the X-Star/X-Star Premium, always refer to and follow the safety
instructions in this manual. Autel Robotics takes no responsibility and accepts no
warranty for direct or indirect product damage or injury if the user fails to follow the
safety instructions. Autel Robotics will not be liable for any direct damages or for
any legal, special, incidental, indirect damages or for any nancial consequences
(including the loss of prots).
The safety instructions herein covers situations which Autel Robotics is aware
of. Autel Robotics cannot know, evaluate or advise you as to all of the possible
hazards. You must be certain that any condition or service procedure encountered
do not jeopardize your personal safety.
Safety Information
IMPORTANT
Before operating or maintaining this unit, please read this manual carefully,
paying extra attention to the safety warnings and precautions.
For your own safety and the safety of others, and to prevent damaging the product
and its features, it is important for you to read and understand the instructions and

all safety information presented throughout the product manual.
IMPORTANT
This product is not intended for use by children without adult supervision.
Do not use incompatible components or alter the product in any way
inconsistent with the instructions provided by Autel Robotics.
Take-off and Landing
• The aircraft should be placed in a distance of approximately 5 meters
heading away from you on a leveled surface.
• Do not take off or land on slopes or uneven surfaces.
• Fly in an open and safe area; keep away from buildings, trees, people and
moving vehicles
• Keep the aircraft steady still and approaching to the ground by one meter or
less before landing.
• Land immediately when the low battery warning sign is displayed even if the
ight is soon to be nished. The temperature and wind condition may affect
the use of energy from the battery.
In Flight
• Avoid ying beside or above yourself or other people.
• Avoid ying the aircraft out of sight.
• Keep the aircraft away from potential obstacles such as trees, buildings etc.
• Leave enough space for turning and moving.
• Do not y in severe weather conditions, including but not limited to typhoon,
tornadoes, rain, storms, thunders, hail or snow.
• Avoid ying near hazardous situations, including but not limited to re,
explosions, landslides, oods or earthquakes.
• Keep away from facilities that could produce electromagnetic interference to
avoid failure of location accuracy, including but not limited to power plants,
power transmission lines, transformer substations or broadcasting towers.
• Avoid interferences from other remote controller transmitters or deliberate
jamming attempts.
• Follow the instructions once you see a warning on the app.

WARNING
If any part of the aircraft (including motor, battery, gimbal, compass,
propellers, LED lights, binding buttons, etc.) or the remote controller fails
to function properly or has visible/invisible damages, DO NOT FLY THE
AIRCRAFT.
Battery Usage
The aircraft is powered by a Lithium-Polymer battery. LiPo/Li-Ion batteries can be
extremely hazardous and special attention is required during usage.
Read and follow carefully all safety messages and instructions presented to
avoid personal injury or property damage.
WARNING
The Lithium-Polymer battery is factory replaceable only; incorrect
replacement or tampering with the battery pack may cause an explosion.
Battery Use
• Use only the battery and battery charger provided by Autel Robotics. An
unqualied battery or charger may present a risk of re, explosion, leakage,
or other hazards. Autel Robotics takes no responsibility for any damage
caused by non-Autel-Robotics batteries or charging devices.
• Always turn off the aircraft before installing or removing the battery.
• Remove the battery before assembly or when not in use.
• Keep the battery away from water or any kind of liquid. If the battery gets in
touch with liquid, it may lead to an explosion while used or charged.
• Do not expose the battery to re, explosions, or other hazards.
• Do not disassemble, open, crush, bend, deform, puncture, or shred the
battery.
• Do not modify, remanufacture, or attempt to insert foreign objects into the
battery.
• Do not place heavy objects on the battery or charger.
• Stop using or charging the battery immediately whenever the battery starts
to swell, smoke or leak.
• Use the battery in temperatures between -10°C and 45°C. Extremely high
temperatures may cause a re or explosion, extremely low temperatures
may lead to permanent battery damage. Before using a low-temperature
battery (between -10°C and 15°C) for ight, you need to fully charge it in
required temperatures, or insert it into an aircraft and make the aircraft hover
at the altitude of 1m to warm the battery up to 15°C or higher. The battery
temperature can be checked in the app.

• Do not use the battery in strong electrostatic or electromagnetic environments.
Electrostatic or electromagnetic interference may lead to serious accidents
during ight.
• The heavier the payload, the shorter the ight time, as more battery power
may be consumed.
• Remove the battery from the aircraft immediately if the aircraft falls into
water during ight. Leave the battery in an open area and keep a safe
distance away until it is completely dry. Stop using the battery and contact
Autel Robotics customer support for a replacement.
Battery Charging
• Do not use a damaged battery charger.
• Disconnect the charger when not in use and examine the charger’s condition
regularly.
• Do not leave the battery unattended during the charging process.
• Do not charge the battery immediately after using it, as overheat protection
will be activated to prevent the battery from being charged before it cools
down completely.
• The charging time varies depending on the remaining battery level.
• Since over charging may shorten the battery life, stop charging the battery
after it is fully charged.
• Make sure to go through a charge cycle (charging the battery to 100% and
then discharging it to 7% or lower) every three months, or once the battery
is cycle-charged for 20 times.
Battery Storage
• Keep the battery out of reach of children and pets.
• Do not leave the battery close to moisture or heat sources. Store the battery
in a dry and ventilated area at room temperature (ideally 22°C to 28°C).
• Do not place the battery beside hard or sharp items, or on a conductive
surface (e.g., metal plate).
• Do not place the battery in wet grass or in the pocket with metal objects.
• Disconnect and remove the Li-Po battery from the aircraft after use to
prevent trickle discharge. During storage, make sure the battery level does
not fall below 3V.
• Using or storing the battery in extreme environments may reduce battery life.
• Battery life inevitably shortens over time. And battery life may be reduced if
the battery is left unused over extended periods of time.
• Completely discharge the battery before disposal.
• Dispose of the battery properly at specied battery recycling locations.
• Battery electrolytes are highly corrosive. If any electrolytes make contact

with your skin or eyes, immediately wash the affected area with fresh running
water and see a doctor.
Reminders
• Flying with an experienced pilot for the rst ight is strongly recommended.
• Keep small or electrical parts out of the reach of children.
• Keep away from heat sources or humid and hostile environments.
• Check the weather before ying, including air temperature and wind speed.
• Make a thorough preight check before each ight ( 26)
• Use only authorized accessories approved or provided by Autel Robotics.
• Do not attempt to disassemble, modify or reconstruct any part of the devices.
Autel Robotics will not be responsible for damages resulting from any
articial reason.
• Do not use this product for illegal purposes.
Services and Support
www.autelrobotics.com
(844)-898-0290 (U.S.A.)
[email protected]
Or contact your local retail agent for technical assistance.

Contents
 BEFORE STARTING 1
USING THIS MANUAL 1
BEFORE YOUR FIRST FLIGHT 1
 GETTING TO KNOW THE SMART DRONE 2
AIRCRAFT 2
REMOTE CONTROLLER 10
 PREPARING THE FLIGHT 18
PREPARING THE BATTERY 18
REMOVING THE GIMBAL HOLDER 20
PREPARING THE REMOTE CONTROLLER 21
CONNECTING YOUR MOBILE DEVICE 22
CALIBRATING THE COMPASS 23
INSTALLING THE PROPELLERS 24
 FLIGHT OPERATIONS 26
PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST 26
REMOTE CONTROLLER AND FLIGHT OPERATIONS 27
USING THE STARLINKTM APP 35
 MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE 56
FIRMWARE UPGRADE 56
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS 57
STORAGE AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS 58
CUSTOMER SERVICE 58
 WARRANTY 60
 APPENDIX 61
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND FLIGHT RESTRICTED AREA 61
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 63

1
1
Before Starting
Using This Manual
Thank you for purchasing Autel Robotics’ product X-Star/X-Star Premium.
Please read the manual carefully before you use the smart drone and retain the
manual for future reference. Should your smart drone fail to operate correctly,
refer to Troubleshooting Tips ( 57).
Legend
WARNING: Precautions of a potentially hazardous situation which if not
avoided could result in personal injury or property damage.
IMPORTANT: Important information that demands special attention related
to the smart drone’s operation.
NOTE: Additional information that complement the current topic.
TIPS: Information that helps to improve the usability of the smart drone.
REFERENCE: A page number that guides you to the section containing
relevant information in this manual.
Before Your First Flight
Before using the X-Star/X-Star Premium, download and install the StarlinkTM app
on the App Store or Google Play by searching for ‘Autel Starlink’. The app enables
a live stream and full functions of ight and camera control on your mobile device.
Read the following documents before using the X-Star/X-Star Premium:
X-Star & X-Star Premium Packing List
X-Star & X-Star Premium Quick Guide
X-Star & X-Star Premium User Manual

2
2
Getting to Know
the Smart Drone
The X-Star series is a new generation of smart unmanned aerial vehicle, featuring
easy operation and high stability. With the advanced built-in Smart Flight System,
a high-performance remote controller, and a powerful mobile app, the X-Star
allows safe and stable ight maneuvers which can be operated both manually
and automatically. The stabilized 3-axis camera gimbal offers ideal solutions for
smooth aerial photographing and video recording, making the system incredibly
versatile and powerful.
The X-Star series comes in two models: the X-Star and X-Star Premium, which
are both equipped with an integrated 4k camera gimbal. The X-Star adopts a self-
generated WiFi network, while the X-Star Premium utilizes HD video streaming
to establish a live video link with the mobile app StarlinkTM as you y.
This manual elaborates in detail on the functions and operations of the X-Star and
the X-Star Premium.
Aircraft
The X-Star/X-Star Premium aircraft is a quadcopter with an integrated stabilized
camera gimbal. An HD camera is also integrated.
Functionality Description
Front Side

3
①Propeller ⑥Front Sticker
②Motor ⑦RC Binding Button
③Front LED Indicator Light ( 5) ⑧ Micro-USB Port
④3-axis Gimbal ( 8) ⑨ Micro-SD Card Slot
⑤Camera
⑩Rear LED Indicator Light ( 5) ⑬ StarpointTM Positioning Module
⑪ Aircraft Battery ( 6) ⑭Compass Module
⑫ Landing Gear
Built-in Smart Flight System
The X-Star/X-Star Premium features a built-in smart ight system which
provides stable and user-friendly ight control. The system consists of various
sensors such as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver, the
Compass, the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and barometer. It works as the
central computer of the aircraft and supports various functions, such as Intelligent
Orientation Control (IOC), Go Home, Failsafe, StarpointTM Positioning System, etc.
Smart Flight System Modules
Module Description
IMU
An electronic device consisting of a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis
accelerometer that measure the acceleration and angular rates of
the aircraft. An automatic IMU calibration is performed every time you
start the aircraft.
Compass Measures geomagnetic eld and provides heading reference for the
aircraft.
GNSS
Receiver
Receives GNSS (GPS/GLONASS) signals to determine the latitude,
longitude and altitude of the aircraft.
Rear Side

4
Barometer Measures atmospheric pressure to determine the pressure altitude of
the aircraft.
Ultrasonic
Sensors Measures the distance between the aircraft and the ground.
Monochrome
Camera
Tracks the x- and y-axis location of the moving aircraft relative to the
ground.
Smart Flight System Functions
Function Description
IOC Congures the aircraft to y in the direction relative to the home point.
(30)
Go Home Commands the aircraft to return and land at the specied home point.
(30)
Failsafe
Enables the aircraft to take automatic protection measure in the event
of lost communication between the aircraft and remote controller, or
low battery situation. ( 31)
StarpointTM
Positioning
System
Enables the aircraft to hover precisely in areas where GPS signal is
not available. ( 32)
NOTE
A home point is usually memorized by the system each time as the point
where the aircraft takes off. The home point can be repositioned via the
app. ( 38) The altitude of the original home point remains unchanged.
Supported Flight Modes
Flight Modes Description
GPS Mode
Stabilizes and holds the aircraft in position and altitude on stick
release (requires at least 6 GNSS satellite signals), providing stable
and smooth ight maneuvers, as well as safety features including Go
Home, IOC and Failsafe.
ATTI Mode
Stabilizes and holds the aircraft in altitude on stick release. The
ATTI mode provides more agility in ight control by commanding the
attitude (roll and pitch angles) of the aircraft directly.

5
NOTE
It is highly recommended to operate outdoor ights in GPS mode for
maximum safety. ATTI mode is disabled by default, and GPS mode is
always enabled when good GPS reception is available. ATTI mode can
be enabled through the mobile app: Settings ( ) > Flight Control
Settings ( ) > Advanced Settings > Enable ATTI Mode.
Flight LED Indicator
The LED indicators on the aircraft can be found on both the front and rear arms.
The front indicators help you identify the position of the aircraft’s nose, and the
rear indicators show the current ight status of the aircraft.
The LED indicators will light up when you turn on the aircraft. The table below
describes the meanings of the LED indicator’s statuses.
●Indicates solid light RIndicates red colored light
◎Indicates slow ashing light GIndicates green colored light
○◎ Indicates quick ashing light YIndicates yellow colored light
Example: “R-●” stands for RED SOLID light.
Denitions of Flight LED Indicator Light Status
R-● (Front LEDs) Indicates the direction of the aircraft’s nose after the
aircraft is powered on.
R&G-○◎ (Rear LEDs)
Indicates a warm-up procedure is activated when the
aircraft is powered on and more than 6 GPS satellites
are available.
R&Y-○◎ (Rear LEDs)
Indicates a warm-up procedure is activated when the
aircraft is powered on and less than 6 GPS satellites are
available.
G-◎ (Rear LEDs)
Indicates the aircraft is in GPS mode, or the StarpointTM
Positioning System is working. GPS mode can be
activated only when more than 6 GPS satellites are found.
Y-◎ (Rear LEDs)
Indicates the aircraft is in non-GPS mode (or less than 6
GPS satellites are found), and the StarpointTM Positioning
System is not working.
Y-○◎ (Rear LEDs) Indicates the communication between the aircraft and
remote controller is lost.
Y-● (Rear LEDs) Indicates abnormal magnetic eld. Make sure that the
aircraft is free from all magnetic interferences.

6
R-◎ (Rear LEDs) Indicates Low Battery Warning (meaning the battery
level is less than 25%).
R-○◎ (Rear LEDs)
Indicates Critical Low Battery Warning (meaning the
battery level is less than 15%), or the battery cannot be
identied.
R-◎ (Front & Rear LEDs)
Accompanied by a beep
Indicates hardware problems possibly caused by IMU
deviation or other abnormalities.
NOTE
The rear LEDs will ash green light twice when a new parameter or
waypoint setting has been acknowledged.
Aircraft Battery
The aircraft battery is a rechargeable Li-Po battery with the capacity of 4900mAh
specially designed for the X-Star/X-Star Premium aircraft. It can only be charged
with the charger supplied in the X-Star/X-Star Premium package, and can provide
up to 25 minutes of continuous ight if fully charged.
zSmart Features
The aircraft battery features several smart functionalities for charge-discharge
management that preserves battery life.
Aircraft Battery Features
Balancing Balances the voltage of each battery cell to prevent
overcharging or over-discharging.
Communication
Retrieves and transfers battery info, including battery
level, current, voltage, battery life, and temperature to
the aircraft and the remote controller.
Charging Temperature
Detection
Stops charging when temperature is out of the
suitable range.
LED Capacity Indicator Indicates current battery level.
Overcharging & Over-
discharging Protection
• Stops charging when battery voltage reaches 17V.
• Stops discharging when battery voltage reaches
10.8V.

7
Short Circuit Protection
• Cuts off power supply when a short circuit occurs.
• All LED lights on the battery front panel will ash
green when a short circuit is detected.
Power Saving Turns off the battery automatically after 10 minutes of
inactivity.
zBasic Functions
The front panel of the aircraft battery contains 4 LED capacity indicators and
1 Power button.
Aircraft Battery
①Capacity Level Indicator
Lights
②Power Button – allows
you to check the battery
level and turn on/off the
battery
¾ To turn on/off the battery
Press and hold the button for 3 seconds.
¾ To check the battery level when the battery is powered off
Press the button.
The table below describes the corresponding battery levels indicated by
the capacity indicator lights once you press the button.
Battery Level Indicator Status While Discharging
●-Indicatessolidgreenlight;◎ - Indicates ashing green light; ○–Indicatesnolight

8
The Xteady R12 Gimbal
The Xteady R12 camera gimbal is a quick-mount stabilized gimbal with three
axes. It is specially designed to minimize camera vibration and deliver smooth
aerial photographing.
It is powered through the aircraft battery, and therefore turned on at the same
time with the aircraft. A self-test is performed each time when the gimbal starts up.
① Unlock Button ⑥ Filter
② Micro-USB Port ⑦ Camera
③Micro-SD Card Slot ⑧Yaw Motor
④Roll Motor ⑨ Vibration Absorber
⑤Pitch Motor ⑩Gimbal Connector
NOTE
• A Micro-SD card is provided inside the Micro-SD card slot with different
storage capacity according to your aircraft model.
• The Xteady R12 Camera Gimbal is attached with a gimbal holder which
protects the gimbal from incidental rotation to avoid damage. Remove
the holder before powering up the aircraft ( 20).
WARNING
Do NOT install or remove the gimbal after the aircraft is powered up, as
this may cause a short circuit of the video link module.
The Xteady R12 gimbal for X-Star/X-Star Premium has three axes (pitch, roll,
yaw) and supports two working modes (Stabilized mode, FPV mode):

9
Stabilized Mode – The gimbal’s
yaw movement is synchronized
with the aircraft while its pitch
and roll movements remain
independent of the aircraft
for maximum stabilized aerial
photography.
FPV Mode – The gimbal’s roll and
yaw movements are synchronized
with the aircraft while its pitch
movement remains independent
of the aircraft for an immersive
piloting experience from a rst
person view.
¾ To remove the gimbal
1. Hold the gimbal and press the Unlock button ( ) at the side.
2. Slide the gimbal towards the Unlock direction indicated by the ( )
icon beside the Unlock button.
¾ To install the gimbal
1. Match the gimbal connector to the quick-mount interface at the bottom of
the aircraft.

10
2. Slide the gimbal connector onto the quick-mount interface towards the
Lock direction indicated by the ( ) icon beside the Unlock button.
You will hear a clicking sound when the gimbal is properly mounted.
Camera
The X-Star and X-Star Premium are both equipped with a 4K UHD camera.
The camera supports various shooting modes including single shot, burst, AEB
and timelapse. Videos can be recorded in MOV or MP4 formats, and photos can
be saved in DNG or RAW formats. An HD live view from the camera can be
displayed on your mobile device through the mobile app StarlinkTM.
Remote Controller
The remote controller enables wireless communication with the aircraft through
a 5.8 GHz radio frequency band. The maximum working range of the remote
controller in an open area is about 500m when set as CE standard, or about
1000m (X-Star)/2000m (X-Star Premium) when set as FCC standard.
The built-in 2.4GHz WiFi module of the X-Star remote controller and 900MHz HD
video streaming module of the X-Star Premium remote controller allow video
downlink from the aircraft for real-time ight and video data displayed on the app,
enabling convenient control of aerial photography and remote piloting.
IMPORTANT
The X-Star network is only established when the aircraft, the remote
controller and the mobile device are properly connected through the WiFi
network (X-Star) or HD video streaming (X-Star Premium).
Functionality Description

11
①Antennas
• The left antenna transmits 5.8 GHz RF signal to the
aircraft for sending commands and receiving ight
information.
• Both antennas receive 2.4 GHz WiFi signal (X-Star)
or 900 MHz HD video signals (X-Star Premium) from
the aircraft and transfer the ight data and camera
data to the connected mobile app.
②Mobile Device Holder
• Holds your mobile device with a 180° adjustable
viewing angle for optimum visibility.
• The clamp on the holder can be stretched and also
rotated so that you can place your mobile device of
varying sizes in different orientations.
③Flight Information Panel Displays the ight status, warning messages and real-
time instructions. ( 12)
④Command Sticks
• Control the orientation and movement of the aircraft.
• Each command stick is covered with a screw cap that
can be used with either end facing upward. These
two ends are designed with different textures to meet
different needs. The gear-shaped end enhances your
grip stability, while the at end maximizes your hand-
touch comfortability. To switch between both ends,
simply unscrew the cap and screw it up upside down.

12
⑤Strap Hole Attached to a neck strap for easy portability.
⑥Motor Starter Starts the motors.
⑦Take-off/Landing Button Commands the aircraft to take off or land.
⑧Power Button
Press and hold for 2 seconds to turn on/off the remote
controller. You will hear a buzz sound. The power
button shows a solid green light when you turn on the
remote controller.
⑨Go Home Button Commands the aircraft to return to the home point.
⑩Pause Button Commands the aircraft to stop moving and hover in
position when necessary.
⑪Power Port Connected to the X-Star/X-Star Premium charger to
charge the built-in battery of the remote controller.
⑫Gimbal Pitch Dial Turn the dial to control the tilt angle of the gimbal.
⑬Flight Mode Switch Switch between IOC, GPS and ATTI modes.
⑭Playback Button
Playbacks the captured images or videos. (Only
functions when the remote controller is connected to
the mobile app.)
⑮Camera Settings Dial Turn the dial to adjust the Advanced Camera
Settings. ( 39)
⑯Support Stand Holds up the remote controller at a 40 degree angle.
⑰Shutter Button Takes a photo. If burst mode is selected, the set
number of photos will be taken with one press.
⑱Record Button Records a video. Press again to stop recording.

13
⑲CAN-Bus Port Connects two remote controllers with one operator
as the instructor and the other as the learner. ( 52)
⑳ Micro-USB Port Reserved port.
USB Port Connects to a mobile device through a USB cable.
Flight Information Panel
The LCD Flight Information Panel found on the X-Star/X-Star Premium remote
controller is designed to provide you with intuitive information during the ight,
including the ight status, warning messages, real-time instructions, etc. This
section introduces the function of this panel.
zRemote Controller Calibration
Every time you see Calibrate RC on the Flight Information Panel, please
calibrate the two command sticks and the Gimbal Pitch Dial. You can calibrate
your remote controller according to the following steps, or using the mobile
app instead ( 51).
¾To calibrate the remote controller
1. Turn off the remote controller, and then
press and hold the ( ) and ( )
buttons simultaneously until the RC
calibration screen appears as shown on
the right. The two crossed bars represent
the left and right command sticks, and
the horizontal bar at the bottom stands
for the Gimbal Pitch Dial.
2. Release both command sticks and the
Gimbal Pitch Dial naturally to the central
position. The three central rounds on the
RC calibration screen will be highlighted
successively.
3. Push both command sticks to the
ends of their 4 directions, and turn
the Gimbal Pitch Dial clockwise and
counterclockwise to its 2 ends, holding
respectively until you hear a beep. All the
bars on the screen will be fully highlighted
when your calibration is completed.
zBinding

14
The remote controller and the aircraft are bound by default when both devices
are powered up. However, when you change an aircraft or remote controller,
or activate the RC Binding Button on the aircraft, you need to rebind your
aircraft and remote controller.
¾To bind the aircraft and remote controller
1. Turn off the remote controller.
2. Turn on the aircraft.
3. Press and hold the RC Binding
Button on the aircraft for about 3
seconds, and the binding indicator
beside the RC Binding Button
will ash slowly in green light
indicating the aircraft is ready to
rebind.
4. Press and hold the ( ) and
( ) buttons on the remote
controller, and the binding indicator
will turn to solid green light once
your binding is successful.
NOTE
You may also use the app to bind the aircraft and remote controller via
Settings ( ) > RC Settings ( ) > RC Binding. ( 52)
zMain Interface
When the video link has been connected properly, the main interface will
appear as follows: