New Drones Enhance Mapping, Inspection, and Public Safety with AI Capabilities
DJI has unveiled the Matrice 4 Series enterprise drones, featuring cutting-edge sensors, AI-powered tools, and a suite of capabilities aimed at improving aerial operations across various industries. The launch highlights DJI’s ongoing innovation in drone technology, even as the U.S. government continues efforts to limit the use of drones manufactured in China. This new series, including the Matrice 4T and Matrice 4E, is designed to address a range of challenges in public safety, construction, and infrastructure inspection.
Precision Mapping and Advanced Inspection Tools
The Matrice 4 Series is equipped with an array of sensors designed to provide precise measurements and detailed visuals for day or night operations. These include a 70mm medium telephoto camera capable of identifying small details, such as screws and cracks, from 10 meters away. For longer-range inspections, the 168mm telephoto camera captures intricate details from up to 250 meters.
Additional features include a laser range finder with a measurement range of 1,800 meters and a wide-angle 24mm camera for broader imaging needs. The Matrice 4T also integrates an infrared thermal camera, which supports a high-resolution mode of up to 1280×1024 pixels, making it suitable for applications requiring heat detection, such as energy management and search and rescue missions.
The Matrice 4E focuses on high-speed aerial mapping and surveying. Its 24mm wide-angle lens, equipped with a mechanical shutter, allows for rapid 0.5-second interval shooting. The drone’s Smart 3D Capture feature creates rough models and mapping routes directly on the remote controller, facilitating detailed measurements of irregular buildings and optimizing workflow efficiency.
Optimized for Public Safety
The Matrice 4 Series introduces new functionalities designed specifically for search and rescue missions. Vehicles and vessels can be quickly detected, even in challenging terrains. The cruise control feature allows the drone to maintain consistent speeds, enabling pilots to focus on multitasking.
When paired with the DJI Pilot 2 app, operators can map areas already covered during a search, ensuring that no section is overlooked. These features, combined with DJI’s model training tools and onboard computing capabilities, enable certified third-party developers to create customized applications for the drones.
Christina Zhang, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at DJI, highlighted the series’ potential for emergency response, stating, “With the Matrice 4 Series, DJI is ushering in a new era of intelligent aerial operations. In equipping our industry-leading enterprise drones with AI, search and rescue teams can save lives faster.”
Enhanced Visuals for Challenging Environments
Low-light environments pose no obstacle for the Matrice 4 Series. With enhanced night mode and larger apertures, the drones deliver clear visuals during dusk or nighttime operations. They are equipped with six high-definition low-light fisheye lenses that enable intelligent obstacle detection, rerouting, and safe returns, even in urban settings.
The drones also feature electronic dehazing capabilities to improve image clarity in fog, haze, or high-humidity conditions, making them suitable for diverse environmental challenges.
Accessories for Increased Versatility
The Matrice 4 Series introduces upgraded accessories to enhance adaptability. The DJI AL1 Spotlight provides illumination up to 100 meters and offers strobe and always-on modes, making it invaluable for nighttime operations. Meanwhile, the AS1 Speaker broadcasts powerful audio up to 300 meters and reaches 114 decibels at close range, making it effective for public announcements or crowd control.
The D-RTK 3 Multifunctional Station supports centimeter-level positioning accuracy, extends image transmission through signal relays, and facilitates high-precision data collection in remote areas without network coverage. It can also serve as a ground control point marker.
Data Privacy and Security
DJI prioritizes user privacy, giving operators control over their data. Users must opt-in to share photos or videos, and U.S.-based users cannot sync flight logs with DJI servers. For sensitive missions, Local Data Mode severs internet connections, preventing unintentional data uploads.
“Since 2017, we have regularly submitted our products for third-party security audits and certification, including Booz Allen Hamilton, FTI Consulting, and Kivu Consulting,” DJI noted in the release.
All shared personal data, such as information provided during account registration, is encrypted with AES-256, and users can request data deletion through their DJI account or customer support.
Safety Features for Worry-Free Operation
The Matrice 4 Series includes DJI’s self-developed RTK module for enhanced safety and precise flight control. Features like five-directional vision assist, obstacle detection, and automatic rerouting reduce operational risks. In emergencies, the drones can take off within 15 seconds and update return-to-home points using visual positioning, even without GNSS signals.
When connected to the internet, the remote controller can download detailed offline maps and terrain obstacle details, enabling automatic path planning for safe navigation through mountainous or low-light areas.
Comprehensive Protection Plans
DJI Care Enterprise Plus and the Official Extended Warranty Service provide comprehensive coverage for the Matrice 4 Series. These plans include free repairs within specified coverage limits, annual Flyaway Coverage, and access to DJI technical experts for prompt assistance.
Availability
The Matrice 4T and Matrice 4E are available through authorized DJI Enterprise dealers. For more information, visit DJI’s official website.
Want DRONELIFE news delivered to your inbox every weekday? Sign up here.
Read more:
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
Subscribe to DroneLife here.
