- Charl Jooste
DJI unleashes the powerful and impressive Matrice 300 RTK and Zenmuse-H20 System
Image: DJI
The DJI Matrice 300 RTK combined with the hybrid multi-sensor Zenmuse-H20 is the latest commercial offering from DJI and, as always, they impress. While we have become used to new developments from DJI the Matrice 300 RTK is truly groundbreaking. This is by far their most sophisticated creation to date.
This is a reliable high-performance drone that is extremely versatile. It has the potential to increase accuracy and productivity exponentially in a wide range of applications. This is great news for the commercial drone industry, as well as humanitarian, life-saving, and law enforcement applications.
The M300 RTK has a good 55 minute flight time and a 15km transmission range. The hot-swappable battery system will allow for uninterrupted work or missions. It has a quick charging system that will let you charge four groups of batteries at once and you can swap them out when needed without shutting the drone down. This allows you to operate as long as is necessary to get the job done.
Image: DJI
It can handle rough conditions and poor weather with an IP45 rating. DJI has introduced a new user interface with an upgraded flight display. It offers precision positioning and accurate obstacle avoidance. The drone boasts dual vision ToF sensors on 6 sides for precision and dependability.
Their product announcement explains: “DJI engineered this all-in-one, high-tech solution to expand possibilities and exploit areas of work never explored before, for precise aerial inspections and data collection missions.”
Multiple Payload Configurations. Single Downward Gimbal, Single upward gimbal with single downward gimbal, Single upward gimbal with double downward gimbals. Images: DJI
Impressively, the M300 can carry 3 payloads at once with a maximum weight of 2.7kg. The Zenmuse H20 camera series is the perfect match for the ability and sophistication of the M300. With a 23x hybrid optical zoom, a 200x max zoom and a choice of wide-angle or thermal view, the options are endless. Low-light images are also possible thanks to the Night Scene mode.
Image: DJI
You can scan a large environment and pinpoint or track objects of importance with the laser range finder. Two taps are all that is needed to identify a target and zoom in almost instantly. The Smart Track feature allows you to identify and follow specific targets, including moving objects, from a great distance. The precise location and movement can be tracked and transmitted in real time.
You will also have access to DJI developer tools allowing for effortless and accurate applications according to your industry or needs. The dual operator mode is another feature that will come in handy in many situations. It allows for two operators to have access to control of the drone and payload with an instant tap when necessary.
The potential of the M300 is exciting as DJI Corporate Strategy Director, Christina Zhang explains: “With the M300 RTK flying platform and the Zenmuse H20 camera series, we are providing a safer and smarter solution to our enterprise customers. This solution sets an entirely new standard for industrial UAV solutions, significantly enhancing operations across public safety, law enforcement, energy, surveying and mapping as well as critical infrastructure inspections.”
High resolution grid images can be captured over large areas with detail and superb clarity. One click will give you the exact image you need with specified subjects. The grid can be customized according to your needs.
One can pinpoint areas of importance, zoom in and save the details. The AI-Spot Check allows you to keep effortless and accurate control over progressive work. This will allow the drone to automatically return as often as is necessary to capture updates from the same position and angle every time. It can send these updates back to the ground or command team saving a huge amount of time and improving control over projects.
Safety is an ongoing concern in the drone industry and the M300 features an ADS-B Receiver. DJI's AirSense technology gives the operator real-time data on helicopters and aircraft within a 20km radius. This feature, found on all maned aircraft, will give details of the position, direction, velocity and altitude of other aircraft in the NAS. This is an excellent safety feature and something that other drone companies should be looking at to ensure safe operations for all. If all drones had this type of technology there would be better and safer integration into the NAS and it would possibly help reduce the restrictions that are being imposed and still to come for drone use.
Pre-orders for the M300 RTK and Zenmuse H20 are open and it should be available shortly. One thing is for sure, the drone industry is now better able to deliver valuable solutions to commercial, government and humanitarian operations.