# #020: The Hidden Architecture of Autonomy: How Skydio Drones Think, See, and Connect

- Show: [Coredump Sessions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions)
- Published: 2026-01-29
- Length: 53m
- Episode: 20
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2026-01-29-020-the-hidden-architecture-of-autonomy-how-skydio-drones-think-see-and-connect
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/memfault/episodes/020-The-Hidden-Architecture-of-Autonomy-How-Skydio-Drones-Think--See--and-Connect-e3ebtpf

## Summary

Ross Yeager, VP of Device Platform Software at Skydio, discusses the company's vertically integrated manufacturing in California and its pioneering fully autonomous drone technology. He details the engineering challenges of building complex embedded systems with multiple microcontrollers and SoCs, emphasizing the critical need for safety, reliability, and rigorous testing in high-stakes government and first responder applications. Yeager also reflects on his career path, from early Kickstarter projects and work at Boosted Boards and Altera to leading software architecture at Skydio.

## Chapters

- [0:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2026-01-29-020-the-hidden-architecture-of-autonomy-how-skydio-drones-think-see-and-connect#t=2) Introduction: Ross Yeager and Skydio
- [3:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2026-01-29-020-the-hidden-architecture-of-autonomy-how-skydio-drones-think-see-and-connect#t=200) Ross's Journey: Kickstarter, Altera, and Boosted Boards
- [7:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2026-01-29-020-the-hidden-architecture-of-autonomy-how-skydio-drones-think-see-and-connect#t=456) Lessons from Early Hardware and Scaling
- [17:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2026-01-29-020-the-hidden-architecture-of-autonomy-how-skydio-drones-think-see-and-connect#t=1059) Skydio's Autonomous Architecture and Vertical Integration
- [29:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2026-01-29-020-the-hidden-architecture-of-autonomy-how-skydio-drones-think-see-and-connect#t=1782) Manufacturing in the US and Supply Chain Challenges
- [33:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2026-01-29-020-the-hidden-architecture-of-autonomy-how-skydio-drones-think-see-and-connect#t=2029) Embedded Engineering Challenges and Safety Critical Systems
- [39:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2026-01-29-020-the-hidden-architecture-of-autonomy-how-skydio-drones-think-see-and-connect#t=2347) Testing, OTA Updates, and Future of Skydio
- [45:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2026-01-29-020-the-hidden-architecture-of-autonomy-how-skydio-drones-think-see-and-connect#t=2751) Closing Thoughts and Career Advice

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Skydio (company)
- Boosted Boards (company)
- Altera (company)
- Intel (company)
- NVIDIA (chip)
- Qualcomm (chip)
- Pebble (company)
- CSR (company)
- Nordic (chip)
- Skydio X10 (product)
- Skydio R10 (product)
- Quartus (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Skydio CEO Adam Bry explores how autonomy and AI are reshaping drones; what happened after a Waymo killed a cat; revisiting the history of civilian drones](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/go-no-go/2025-11-11-skydio-ceo-adam-bry-explores-how-autonomy-and-ai-are-reshaping-drones-what-happe) (Go/No-Go)
- [52: Maximize the Sonic Boom](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-05-21-52-maximize-the-sonic-boom) (Embedded.fm)
- [18-Year-Old Founder: Why America Needs Its Own Drone Industry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-07-31-18-year-old-founder-why-america-needs-its-own-drone-industry) (OnTrack)
- [Voice-Activated Everything on the Cheap | Jets & Hoverboards & Reliability | AVs: How Safe is Safe?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-09-27-voice-activated-everything-on-the-cheap-jets-hoverboards-reliability-avs-how-saf) (EE Times Current)
- [94: Don't Be Clever](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-25-94-dont-be-clever) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2026-01-29-020-the-hidden-architecture-of-autonomy-how-skydio-drones-think-see-and-connect. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Coredump Sessions.