Is DJI really planning to release another new drone so soon after the DJI Mini 2? Surprisingly, the rumors suggest it might be planning to do just that, although a new DJI event invite has potentially poured cold water on the idea that it’ll be a new racing drone for hobbyists.
DJI Enterprise has announced the event below for December 15 at 8am EST / 1pm GMT (or 5am AEST on December 16 in Australia), and the timing would suggest it could be for the heavily-rumored DJI FPV drone.
Of course, it’s possible this event is for something else Enterprise-related, for example a new camera module for one of DJI’s Enterprise drones. But it’s at least cast some doubt on exactly who or what the DJI FPV drone might be for.
Rumors about a DJI FPV (First Person View) drone started back in late 2019, when DJI released its Digital FPV System for adding a high-quality FPV system to existing racing drones.
While DJI drones have traditionally focused on aerial filmmaking, it wouldn’t be a huge stretch to see it build a fast, agile drone that works with its low-latency transmission kit. That said, there’s a chance that such a drone could instead have industrial applications, in areas like agriculture and emergency services.
So what kind of specs could the DJI FPV drone have and what is it expected to look like? The leaked images so far suggest a departure from recent drones like the DJI Mini 2. It’s also expected to pack a powerful camera that could (assuming it’s a consumer-oriented device, rather than the Enterprise one in the event invite above) see it appeal to filmmakers as much as drone racing fans.
Here are all the DJI FPV rumors we’ve seen so far…
DJI FPV drone release date and price
So far, there hasn’t been a precise release date rumored for the DJI FPV drone. The biggest hint has come from regular DJI leaker @OsitaLV on Twitter – on December 2, they posted a listed of possible specs for the drone, which finished with the line “will it come online in a month? Let’s see.”
That’s pretty vague, but the amount of leaked images, which appear to include an early prototype of the DJI FPV Combo bundle’s packaging, support the idea that a launch could well happen in that timeframe.
If DJI FPV drone really came out, I think tech specs could be as follows.4K 60fps on-board recording5 inch props6S battery3 flight mode with 150kph maximum speedBuilt in FPV camera with remote-adjustable tilt angleGPS for RTHWill it come online in a month? let’s seeDecember 2, 2020
A December launch now seems unlikely, so perhaps the CES show (which takes place between January 11-14) could be a possible virtual location for the unveiling.
How much will the DJI FPV drone cost? There haven’t been any rumors on pricing yet and, given this would be a brand new category for DJI, there’s no real existing guide for a ballpark price.
It’s fair to say it probably won’t come cheap though – currently, the DJI FPV Experience Combo (which includes the DJI Goggles, Antennas, Air Unit (with camera) and cables needed) costs $819 / £809 / AU$1,299, and that’s without the drone. We’ll update this page as soon as we hear any rumors on pricing though.
What is an FPV drone?
Before we look at the DJI FPV’s possible specs, it’s probably helpful to answer a broader question – what exactly is an FPV drone?
As we explained earlier, FPV stands for First Person View – this is because in FPV racing the pilot wears digital goggles that give them the feeling that they’re soaring through the air like an eagle high on energy drinks.
You can see the effect in DJI’s video for its existing Digital FPV system below. The combination of the drone’s speed and agility, coupled with a high-quality camera and impressive piloting skills, create a unique, visceral experience – and that’s even without the headset to boost the immersion levels.
FPV drones are generally associated with drone racing, a sport that’s been growing for around a decade. It sees pilots attempt to fly their drone around a course as quickly as possible, with the First Person View aspect enabling them to see from the drone’s ‘cockpit’ and speed around like a real-life game of WipEout.
It’s become so big that the Drone Racing League (DRL), which is broadcast on the likes of NBC Sports and Sky Sports Mix, recently released a Drone Racing League Simulator on Xbox One.
Naturally, the most important factor for drone racing pilots is latency, or a delay in data transfer, because at the speeds they’re flying, even a tiny lag can mean the drone itself actually being several feet away from the position they see in their headset. This is why most FPV systems have traditionally used analogue signals due to their low or zero-latency transmission.
Overlord, this is FPV 1, requesting take off.FPV 1 you are cleared to take off, please proceed to helipad one.Solid copy Overlord, FPV 1 taking off at helipad one.FPV 1, you have the sky, have nice trip, over and out.Copy that, FPV 1 out. pic.twitter.com/GTw6A2w4mRDecember 2, 2020
The downside of analogue is usually a low-quality video feed, which is why DJI attempted to provide the best of both worlds with the Digital FPV System. Its cameras can capture video at 1080p/60p, while its FPV Goggles show HD video at 120p. The transmission module also promises super-low latency.
But DJI’s system isn’t just built for drone racing. It has a built-in video recorder and, as you can see from the footage above, it captures some pretty stunning (albeit 1080p) video footage that filmmakers might well want to use for dynamic cut-scenes.
And the rumored specs for the DJI FPV drone suggest it might also have a similar focus, making it less of a leap from drones like the DJI Mini 2 than it might first appear…
DJI FPV drone rumors, leaks and features
That earlier Tweet from @OsitaLV on December 2 gave us a list of potential specs for the DJI FPV drone.
These include 4K/60p video recording, 5-inch propellers, a maximum speed of 150kph (or 93mph), and a “built-in camera with remote-adjustable tilt angle”. These specs, if accurate, lend credence to the theory that the DJI FPV drone will be designed as much for capturing video as racing.
In fact, the design suggests it could be a different breed from racing drones, which, like rally cars, tend to be more basic and stripped down in order to maximize speed and agility.
Looks like spaceship!Someone who got evaluation didn’t keep their NDA. pic.twitter.com/qyFycphly6December 2, 2020
The seemingly leaked image of the DJI FPV above, meanwhile, shows a slightly chunkier design that looks not unlike a small version of the DJI Inspire 2. This could potentially make it more able to absorb crashes from beginner pilots, and also pack in a larger battery that would give it a longer flight time than the average racing drone.
On the other hand, if the DJI FPV drone does turn out to have an industry focus instead, as the below event invite for December 15 suggests, this extra size could simply be used to house extra sensors that might be helpful for industries like agriculture or the emergency services.
We don’t yet know if this event is for the DJI FPV drone, but it has cast a little doubt on the idea that it’ll be consumer-oriented flying machine.
According to earlier leaks, the DJI FPV drone will also apparently have three flight modes, built-in GPS and a return-to-home function, which would suggest that it’s aimed at mainstream fliers rather than professional pilots.
DJI FPV drone early thoughts
The rumors and leaks so far certainly suggest that a DJI FPV drone could launch soon. Exactly what kind of drone it’ll be, though, is very much up in the air.
The reason for this doubt is DJI Enterprise’s launch event on December 15. It’s by no means certain this is for the FPV drone, and could potentially be a new camera module for its Enterprise drones, but it has lead to questions about whether the leaked drone is for consumer fun or industry applications.
Certainly the leaked specs so far would point to the former. If it does indeed include a 4K/60p camera, for example, that would suggest it could be a new aerial tool for ‘cinewhoop’ style videos and filmmakers looking to create dynamic shots that you can’t quite pull off using drones like DJI’s existing Mavic series.
The latter do have an FPV mode in their app, which locks the roll axis and ensures the horizon turns with the drone as you move it from side-to-side. But they lack the 93mph speed and agility of what’s being rumored for the DJI FPV drone.
While it might not be able to compete with top-level racing drones, the DJI FPV drone may well also be billed as an approachable, all-in-one option for those looking to take their first steps into drone racing. But if that’s the case, it’ll need to come with a suitably entry-level price tag, which seems unlikely.
We’re certainly looking forward to seeing what DJI Enterprise has in store at its December 15 – and a big part of us is hoping that it doesn’t turn out to be for the announcement of a industry-focused FPV drone, so we can maintain our hope that a DJI racing drone is around the corner in early 2021.
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