Overview

FieldPrinter 2 (FP2) supports hot-swapping batteries, allowing you to continue working without shutting down the robot. In rare cases, after a hot swap, the radio does not properly reconnect to the FieldPrinter 2.

When this occurs, the robot may appear powered on, but wireless communication is not restored, preventing normal operation.

This article explains what’s happening and the correct recovery procedure.

What You’ll See in the Field

After hot-swapping the battery, you may notice one or more of the following:

• The radio does not reconnect to the FieldPrinter 2
• The robot powers on, but wireless communication is not restored
• The system appears stuck, even though power is present

⚠️ Important: This is a radio initialization issue, not a tablet, iPad, or Dusty App failure.

Why This Happens

During a hot swap, power is briefly interrupted. In some cases, the radio does not fully reinitialize when power is restored, even though the rest of the robot turns back on normally.

When this happens, the radio remains in a partial startup state and cannot re-establish communication.

How to Fix It: Fully Reboot the FieldPrinter 2

A full reboot resets both the robot and the radio, allowing the radio to initialize correctly.

Steps

1. Power off the FieldPrinter 2 completely. Use the main power switch on the robot.
2. Wait 10–15 seconds. This ensures the radio fully shuts down.
3. Power the FieldPrinter 2 back on. 
4. Confirm the radio reconnects. Normal communication should be restored once startup completes.

Important Notes

• Replacing or re-seating the battery again will not fix the issue
• The radio will not recover on its own without a full reboot
• No hardware replacement is required

Best Practices Going Forward

• Hot-swapping batteries is supported and safe
• If the radio does not reconnect after a swap, perform a full robot reboot immediately
• Plan battery swaps during natural pauses when possible to minimize disruption