DJI
A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (April 2015) |
Native name | [大疆创新科技有限公司 Dà-Jiāng Innovations Science and Technology Co., Ltd.] Error: {{Lang}}: unrecognized language tag: Chinese (help) |
---|---|
Company type | Private |
Industry | Aerial Photography |
Founded | 2006 |
Founder | Frank Wang (Wāng Tāo) |
Headquarters | , China |
Area served | Worldwide |
Products | Photography Platforms, Flight Controllers, Gimbals |
Revenue | $0.5 billion USD (2014), $1.0 billion USD (2015 Expected)[1] |
Number of employees | c. 3300[2] |
Divisions | China, North America, Europe, Japan |
Website | dji.com |
DJI is a Chinese technology company founded in 2006 by Frank Wang (Wāng Tāo, Chinese: 汪滔)[3] and headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong. It manufactures commercial and recreational unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for aerial photography and videography.[4][5][6][7]
According to The Economist, the company is at the forefront of the civilian-drone industry.[8]
Company products
DJI manufactures a range of products including flying cameras (ex. Inspire 悟 and Phantom 精灵 series), flying platforms, flight controllers for multi rotors, accessories for helicopters, camera gimbals (aerial, handheld) and ground stations. These products are for industrial, professional and amateur use.[9][10] In 2014, the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed some regulations and guidelines to ensure proper operation of these vehicles in the U.S.,[11][12] and the regulations came into effect on December 21, 2015.[13][14]
Flight Controllers
DJI makes professional and amateur flight controllers intended for multi-rotor stabilization control of various platforms or heavy payloads in aerial photography. In addition to the main A2 main controller model (intelligent orientation, landing, home return), there are the IMU (damper module), the GPS-Compass Pro Plus (high-end antenna, satellite receiver), the PMU (voltage alarm) and the LED bluetooth indicator (smartphone connectivity).[15][16]
Model | A2 | Naza V2 | Wookong-M | Naza-M Lite |
---|---|---|---|---|
Number of Motors Compatible | 4-8 | 4-8 | 4-8 | 4-6 |
Has Built in Receiver | Yes (2.4 GHz) | No | No | No |
Hovering Accuracy (m) | Vertical: ± 0.5m / Horizontal: ± 1.5m | Vertical:±0.8m / Horizontal:±2.5m | Vertical: ± 0.5m / Horizontal: ± 2m | Vertical:±0.8m / Horizontal:±2.5m |
Motor/ Rotor Configuration | Quad-Rotor: +4,X4; Hex-Rotor: +6,X6,Y6,Rev Y6; Octo-Rotor: +8,X8,V8 | Quad-rotor: I4, X4; Hex-rotor: I6, X6, IY6, Y6; Octo-rotor: I8,V8,X8 | Quad-Rotor: +4,X4; Hex-Rotor: +6,X6,Y6,Rev Y6; Octo-Rotor: +8,X8,V8 | Quad-rotor I4, X4; Hex-rotor I6, X6, IY6, Y6 |
Ronin platform
The DJI Ronin (如影) is the company's first stand-alone ground-based camera stabilization platform developed for everyday cinematography and aerial film-making in professional environments. It is built for professional videography and photography and targets the movie-making industry. By using the 3 individual motors to balance the system the DJI Ronin has the ability to stabilize the camera when moving vigorously.[17]
DJI modules
DJI offers several add-on modules for their base products such as power management and video modules.
Module | Lightbridge | PMU (A2, Wookong, Naza V2, Naza Lite) | iOSD MARK II | iOSD mini | BTU |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type (Purpose) | Video Downlink | Power Management | On-Screen Display | On-Screen Display | Bluetooth Link |
Works With | A2, Wookong-M, Naza V2 | A2, Wookong-M, Naza V2, Naza-M Lite | A2, Wookong-M, Naza V2 | A2, Wookong-M, Naza V2 | Naza V2 |
Interface | CAN Bus | CAN Bus, Battery Connection | CAN Bus | CAN Bus | CAN Bus |
Battery Requirements | 4S-6S Lipo | 4S-12S Lipo | 4S Lipo and Shared Flight Controller Power | 2S Lipo and Shared Flight Controller Power | Shared Flight Controller Power |
Flame Wheel series
DJI has developed a series of multirotor flying platforms called Flame Wheel (Feng-Huo-Lun or Fēnghuǒlún, 风火轮) for aerial photography in entertainment. In 2013, there was a total of three electrically powered Flame Wheels: the hexacopter Flame Wheel F550, and quadcopters Flame Wheel F330 and Flame Wheel F450. The most recent one is the Flame Wheel ARF KIT.[18][19]
Model | Flame Wheel F330 | Flame Wheel F450 | Flame Wheel F550 |
---|---|---|---|
Diagonal wheelbase (cm) | 69 | 45 | 69 |
Frame weight (g) | 156 | 282 | 478 |
Take-off weight (g) | 600 – 1200 | 800 – 1600 | 1200 – 2400 |
Phantom series
DJI has also developed a series of quadcopters called the Phantoms (精灵) that have evolved into an integrated flying system with aircraft, camera, Wi-Fi connectivity(or Lightbridge), a controller and the pilot’s mobile device.[20][21][22] These quadcopters are mainly intended for aerial cinematography and photography applications,[23] but are also very popular among hobbyists as well.[24] The Phantom 2 Vision+ features a camera and a gimbal system manufactured by DJI. It is capable of taking 14 MegaPixel still shots and recording high definition (1080p) video.[25] In comparison, the Phantom 3 Professional, Phantom 3 4K, and Phantom 4 can shoot 4K resolution video and take 12MegaPixel still photos.[26][27]
Model | Phantom 1 | Phantom 2 | Phantom 2 Vision | Phantom 2 Vision+ | Phantom FC40 | Phantom 3 Standard | Phantom 3 4K | Phantom 3 Advanced | Phantom 3 Professional | Phantom 4 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal wheelbase (mm) | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 |
Height (m) | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.19 |
Power consumption (W) | 3.12 | — | — | — | 3.12 | — | — | — | — | — |
Take-off weight (g) | < 1200 | < 1300 | 1180 | 1284 | 1200 | 1216 | 1280 | 1280 | 1280 | 1380 |
Max speed (m/s) | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 |
Endurance (min) | — | 25 | 25 | 25 | 10 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 28 |
Rate of climb/descend (m/s) | 6 | 6/2 | 6/2 | 6/2 | 6 | 5/3 | 5/3 | 5/3 | 5/3 | 6/4 |
Operating temperature (°C) | - 10 to 50 | - 10 to 50 | — | — | - 10 to 50 | 0 to 40 | 0 to 40 | 0 to 40 | 0 to 40 | 0 to 40 |
Maximum altitude (m) | 6000 | 6000 | 6000 | 6000 | 6000 |
The Spreading Wings series
DJI has also developed a series of hexacopters called Spreading Wings (Jin-Dou-Yun or Jīndǒuyún, 筋斗云) for carrying heavy cameras in aerial photography, search and rescue, and surveillance. In 2013, two models have been released as Spreading Wings S800 and Spreading Wings S800 EVO.[28]
Model | Spreading Wings S800 | Spreading Wings S800 EVO | Spreading Wings S900 | Spreading Wings S1000 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal wheelbase (cm) | 80 | 80 | 90 | 104.5 |
Empty weight (kg) | 2.6 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 4.2 |
Take-off weight (kg) | 5 – 7 | 6 – 8 | 4.7 – 8.2 | 6 – 11 |
Endurance (min) | 16 | 20 | 18 | 15 |
Operating temperature (°C) | — | — | - 10 to 40 | - 10 to 40 |
The unmanned helicopter
DJI unmanned helicopter is a small unmanned helicopter jointly developed by Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) with DJI. This small unmanned helicopter is intended for high elevation missions and can operate with wind scale of 6. The general designer is Professor Lǐ Zé-Xiāng (李泽湘), and the chief designer for software is associate Professor Zhū Xiǎo-Ruǐ (朱晓蕊) from Harbin Institute of Technology.
Handheld Stabilized Cameras
DJI has also developed a handheld device that uses a gimbal system to stabilize shooting called Osmo (灵眸). The Osmo connects by wifi to a mobile device which is used to view input from the camera.
Applications and usage
DJI products have a wide range of applications in industry and in everyday life with models for professionals and amateurs. Although initially known for military and intelligence applications, drones have many surprising civilian uses. For example, they can be used for hurricane hunting, 3-D mapping of landscape, nature protection, farming, and search and rescue.[29] DJI drones have made dramatic appearances at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) of Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. for several years.[30][31]
Company internal dispution
The lack of an early vision and Wang's personality would eventually cause strife within DJI's ranks. There was constant churn among employees, with some feeling spurned by a demanding boss they felt was stingy with equity. By the end of two years almost all of the founding team had departed. Wang admits he can be an "abrasive perfectionist" and at the time managed to "piss [employees] off."[32]
See also
References
- ^ "Rapid Expansion Of Consumer Drone Market: Expected to Grow To $4 Billion by 2020. Drone Guru". http://www.droneguru.co. May 29, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
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- ^ "DJI: How this Chinese drone maker is flying high in global market". http://economictimes.indiatimes.com. January 7, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
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- ^ Colum Murphy and Olivia Geng (November 10, 2014). "Q&A: Chinese Drone Founder Explains Why Steve Jobs Is His Role Model". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ Farhad Manjoo (December 31, 2014). "Standouts in Tech: Drones, Virtual Reality, Instant Translation and A.I." New York Times. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ Helen Regan. "Watch the Latest Must-Have Smart Toys Unveiled at Asia's Largest Toy Fair". Time (magazine). Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ Tom Duening. "A Hot Seller in a Hot Market: Meet the World's Most Successful Seller of Drones". Flying Cameras. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "Quadcopter 4K - Featuring 4K Drone Video by Quadcopters with Cameras". Quadcopter 4K. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "Up: A Chinese firm has taken the lead in a promising market". The Economist. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ^ "DJI Products". DJI Technology. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ Jack Nicas (November 12, 2014). "Chinese Drone Maker DJI Unveils More Powerful Model". The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "DOT and FAA Propose New Rules for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems". Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). February 15, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "China's drone king says the revolution depends on regulators". Reuters. July 30, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "FAA - Unmanned Aircraft Systems". Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). December 21, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
- ^ "DPress Release – FAA Announces Small UAS Registration Rule". Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). December 14, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
- ^ "The A2 model". DJI Technology. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "DJI Naza-H Helicopter Gyro System w/ GPS". Helipal. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "The A2 model". OXM HOFFMAN 360. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "Flame Wheel ARF Kit". DJI Technology. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "FYFT M5 series blimps". DJI Technology. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ Personal Tech (September 10, 2014). "An Eye in the Sky, Accessible to the Hobbyist: A Teardown of the Phantom 2 Vision Plus Drone from DJI". The New York Times. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "Phantom series". Flying Cameras. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "Phantom features". DJI Technology. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "DJI Phantom Released". Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "2016 DJI Phantom 3 Standard Review | New Lower Price". What Are The Best Drones?. Retrieved 2016-04-19.
- ^ Chase Sutton. "DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ Review and Manual". DroneLifestyle. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "DJI Phantom 3 vs Phantom 2 comparison". Drones Den. June 15, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
- ^ "PHANTOM 4 - Introduction". www.dji.com. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ^ "Spreading-Wings s1000 Plus". DJI Technology. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "5 Surprising Drone Uses (Besides Pizza Delivery)". National Geographic. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "New drone among most popular unveiled at CES 2015 - New drone among most popular unveiled at CES 2015". USA Today. June 6, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ Jim Fisher (January 9, 2015). "CES 2015: Drones, Drones, Drones". PC Magazine. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ Mac, Ryan (May 25, 2015). "Bow To Your Billionaire Drone Overlord: Frank Wang's Quest To Put DJI Robots Into The Sky". Forbes.