DJI announces their most advanced drone yet
- Steven Schroeder
- Mar 6, 2016
- 2 min read
Drones are becoming more and more popular than ever before. However, they haven't really improved technologically for a while, until now as DJI has announced the Phantom 4, which is the most significant upgrade to the line that brings a ton of useful new features, as well as a slight cosmetic upgrade.
The first (and probably the most important) feature is obstacle avoidance. DJI calls the software "Obstacle Sensing System" and it works by using two front-facing cameras that spots objects and it then gauges their distance. The Phantom 4 then can easily determine when and where to avoid the incoming obstacle, as well as maintaining the original trajectory and figuring out an alternative route. However, this only works flying forwards, and not backwards. There is no set definition on how responsive or how fast the system work, but all that information will be released at a later date.
Additionally, DJI is now adding the feature of auto tracking, which allows the Phantom 4 to follow a certain object with a set distance. All you have to do to get the system to work is by loading up the DJI app and select the object you'd wish the drone to follow. Once it is selected, the drone will follow the object by keeping it in the frame. The object can be anything such as a bike, car, animal or anything that the drone can see. However, GPS cannot be used this time around.
Another feature is called "TapFly" which, as the name suggests, you simply tap a location on the video live stream, and the drone will fly to that location whilst avoiding obstacles. It is also important to note that the camera inside has a couple of minor updates with new optics, so the images should look a bit sharper.
There is both good news and bad news with this next feature. The good news first, the Phantom 4 can now fly for up to 28 minutes on a charge. The bad news, it requires a different battery cell than found on other Phantom drones. To make good use of the battery, DJI also included a new "speed mode" which allows the drone to fly at a top speed of 45 miles per hour, or 20 meters per second. The new speed is up 10mph from the Phantom 3.
The Phantom 4 costs $1,399, which is $150 more than the Phantom 3 at launch. The Phantom 4 is also available for pre-order now, and Apple stores will begin to stock them on March 15th, and everywhere else sometime at the end of the month.
Via: | Engadget |
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Source: | No source given |
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Image Credit: | fortunedotcom | fstoppers |
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