This article lists the supported versions of Aura, Commander, and Cortex. Confirm that the hardware platform and the software versions are compatible before an update.
Contact the Client Support team for questions about compatibility and supported devices.
Current versions
Use these versions for all supported platforms and scanners, unless an exception below applies.
Software | Recommended version | Release date |
|---|---|---|
Aura | 2.2.1 | 16 June 2026 |
Commander | 2.3.0 | 3 June 2026 |
Cortex | 4.1.3 | 30 June 2026 |
Commander 2.3 is backwards-compatible with Cortex 4.1. It is not necessary to upgrade Cortex before an upgrade to Commander 2.3.
Use only the recommended versions. Older versions are not supported, and can affect performance, safety, and warranty coverage.
Deprecated versions of Cortex and Commander have known issues. These issues can cause Hovermap autonomy failures during flight, and can increase the risk of mission failure.
Use the current supported versions to keep performance, safety, and warranty coverage.
Minimum platform firmware
Each platform needs a minimum firmware version. Update the platform firmware before an update to Commander or Cortex.
Platform | Minimum firmware |
|---|---|
DJI M300 | SDK V5 |
DJI M350 | SDK V9 |
Freefly Astro | 2.0 |
Freefly Astro Max | 2.0 |
Boston Dynamics Spot | 3.3.0 |
Hovermap LHD | Not applicable |
Exceptions
These products use versions that are different from the current versions.
Product | Commander (recommended) | Cortex (recommended) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
GX1 | 2.3.0 | 4.2.0 | The GX1 needs Cortex 4.2.0. |
Hovermap 100 | 2.1.0 | 4.0.1 | End of life. Download these versions from the Legacy Software Downloads page. |
Hovermap LHD | 1.5.1 LHD | 3.3.3 | An alternative for some workflows only. See Hovermap LHD below. |
Hovermap LHD
Emesent recommends the current versions of Commander and Cortex for Hovermap LHD.
Cortex 4.0.0 and Commander 2.1 introduced changes to onboard processing. For some LHD use cases, the earlier workflow is more suitable. Commander 1.5.1 LHD with Cortex 3.3.3 is a supported alternative for these use cases. Commander 2.1.0 with Cortex 4.0.3 is not recommended for LHD, because the workflow is impacted. All other earlier LHD combinations are not supported.
Commander 1.5.1 LHD and Cortex 3.3.3 are available from the Legacy Software Downloads page.
Commander device compatibility
Use one of the recommended devices in the table below. Emesent tests each of these devices with Commander.
Device | Android version | Support |
|---|---|---|
Freefly Pilot Pro Controller | Android 13 | ✅ Recommended device |
DJI RC Plus Remote Controller | Android 10 | ✅ Recommended device |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G | Android 13 | ✅ Recommended device |
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro 5G | Android 13 | ⚠️ Minimum supported device |
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 | Android 14 | ⚠️ Minimum supported device |
Samsung Galaxy S23 | Android 13 | ⚠️ Minimum supported device |
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active Pro | Android 10 | ❌ Not supported |
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 | Android 13 | ❌ Not supported |
The Android version does not set the support status. Memory and processor performance also apply. For the full device specifications, see Choose a compatible tablet.
Aura and Cortex data compatibility
The Cortex version that captured a scan sets the minimum Aura version that can process it.
Cortex version (captured) | Aura version (processed) | Result |
|---|---|---|
Cortex 3.3 or later | Aura 1.7 or later | ✅ Compatible, with fast data offload |
Cortex 3.2 or earlier | Aura 1.6 or earlier | ✅ Compatible, without fast data offload |
Cortex 3.3 or later | Aura 1.6 or earlier | ❌ Not compatible. Scans do not process. |
Fast data offload was introduced in Cortex 3.3. It reduces the scan file size and improves the offload speed. Aura 1.7 and later can also process scans captured with earlier versions of Cortex.
Aura Cloud accepts only scans processed in Aura 2.2 or later.
Aura licensing
Aura licensing changed from hardware dongles to account-based access. Upgrade to Aura 2.0 or later for continued access.
Aura version | License type | Support |
|---|---|---|
2.0.0 and later | Concurrent User Licensing | Account-based access. Needs an Emesent account and an active organization license. The Emesent User Management Portal manages the license. No hardware dongle support. |
1.10.2 and earlier | Hardware dongle | Final version with dongle support. Cannot be used with Concurrent User Licensing. |
For more information, see Aura Concurrent User Licensing.
Legacy and end-of-life platforms
The table below shows the first and the last compatible versions of Commander and Cortex for older platform firmware. Emesent does not support these combinations.
Platform | Platform firmware | Commander | Cortex | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compatible from | Last compatible version | Compatible from | Last compatible version | ||
DJI M300 (SDK V4) | SDK V4 and below | 1.0.0 | 2.1.0 (210) Not recommended. Upgrade the DJI firmware. | 3.0.0 | 4.0.3 Not recommended. Upgrade the DJI firmware. |
DJI M210 | SDK V4 and below | 1.0.0 | 2.1.0 (210) End of life. | 3.0.0 | 4.0.3 End of life. |
Freefly Astro | 1.4.6+ | 1.2.0 | 2.3.0 | 3.2.0 | Not recommended. Upgrade the Astro firmware. |
Freefly Astro Max | 1.9.1 | 2.0.0 | 2.3.0 | 3.4.0 | Not recommended. Upgrade the Astro firmware. |
Cortex versions 3.0.0 and below do not support Commander. These versions used the Hovermap app, which is deprecated.
Commander 2.0 with Cortex 3.4 does not support Hovermap LHD units or DJI SDK V4 drones.
GNSS receivers
Hovermap is compatible with several GNSS receivers that collect RTK data in Backpack and Vehicle workflows. The table below lists the supported receivers by manufacturer.
Manufacturer | Supported models |
|---|---|
Emlid |
|
Trimble |
|
Leica |
|