Changes to DJI's Automated Drone Flight Strategy in 2022

Changes to DJI's Automated Drone Flight Strategy in 2022

In the Summer of 2022, DJI announced some changes to their strategy regarding automated drone flight with their existing and new drones. Below is a summary of changes and their impact on users and all DJI flight app developers.
 
There are no immediate changes for DJI existing drones. 

This means users with existing drones such as the Phantom 4 Pro, Mavic 2 Pro, or M200 and M300 series drones will continue to be able to fly as is, but there is a possibility a future update will remove the capabilities for flying with Sentera's FieldAgent Mobile or any other iOS flight applications. 

DJI's announced that existing drones will no longer receive updates for automated mapping missions using iPads or iPhones. In the event that this occurs, we will send out further instructions.

DJI's new consumer drones, like the Mavic 3 and the Mavic 3 Classic, do not and will not support automated mapping flights. Consumer drones can be flown manually for visually inspecting fields from above, but not with an iOS device.

DJI's new enterprise drones, like the Mavic 3 Enterprise, the Mavic 3 Thermal, and the M300, will not support automated mapping missions using iPhones or iPads. New enterprise drones can ONLY be flown for mapping flights with an Android device and currently only with the DJI Pilot 2 app that comes on the hand controller of these drones.


FAQs

I have a DJI drone that currently supports automated mapping flights with an iOS device. How does this impact me?

Included drone models:
  1. Phantom 4
  2. Phantom 4 Pro
  3. Phantom 4 Pro V2
  4. Mavic 2
  5. Mavic 2 Pro
  6. Inspire 2
  7. Matrice 200/210 (M200/M210)
  8. Matrice (M300)

These drones are actively supported for flight with automated mapping Apps on iOS devices, such as Sentera's FieldAgent and DroneDeploy Flight app. In the event that DJI does release an update that breaks this functionality, we will provide an update.


I need to buy a new drone, what do you recommend and how will it work with FieldAgent?

If this is your first drone, check out sentera.com for more general information on options for capturing data of your fields.

If you previously had a Phantom or Mavic and wish to continue to operate with that level of drone, we recommend the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise. This drone offers a comparable high-resolution global shutter imager to the Phantom 4 Pro v2, but with the size and portability of the Mavic family. The Mavic 3 Enterprise is also compatible with Sentera's Double 4K Sensor.

The Mavic 3 Enterprise includes a controller with a built-in Android tablet running DJI Pilot 2. We are evaluating the ability to create plan flights in FieldAgent, as you currently do, and then export them to your controller for flight.

If you'd like to fly more acres than you were previously able to with your Phantom or Mavic, the Sentera PHX might be your best option. The PHX flies for 59 mins at 35 mph, so you’ll be able to capture data of more area per flight. Sentera designed and manufactures the entire PHX system including the drone, the sensor, flight control app, the software for offloading data, and the analytics tools in the software. More information about Sentera PHX. 

If you want to fly with Sentera's 6X or new 65R, you'll want to go with the DJI M300. For now, the M300 works directly with a FieldAgent equipped iPad plugged into the controller, but a future firmware update could force users to export from FieldAgent into DJI Pilot 2.

I purchased or plan to purchase a DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise (M3E or M3T), can I get a Sentera Sensor installed?

Yes, the Double 4K is compatible with the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise (including the Mavic 3 Thermal). For more information, visit the Sentera Store or please contact our sales team.

I purchased a non-enterprise DJI Mavic 3 or DJI Mavic 3 Classic, what can I do?

There is currently no functionality for these drones to fly automated flights. These drones may be flown manually for getting your head above the crops and performing a manual inspection of the field.


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