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The big picture: Imagine a future where drones can autonomously launch from moving vehicles and pull off intense inspection and emergency response missions in brutal conditions. DJI is turning that into reality with its newly launched Dock 3 station and powerful Matrice 4D and 4TD enterprise drones.
The Dock 3 is DJI’s first true “drone-in-a-box” solution that supports mobile deployment. The ruggedized dock has an IP56 rating to shrug off dust and water, and it can operate in environments from a freezing -30°C all the way up to a scorching 50°C. It’s quite different from its predecessor – the stationary Dock 2 from 2023 – and can be mounted on vehicles such as trucks to unleash its drone payload while on the move using an optional gimbal mounting accessory.
Two docks can be squeezed into the back of a pickup truck, each capable of controlling a drone in a continuous rotation for nonstop operations. There are built-in antennas, cameras, internal backup batteries, and a weather station that allow remote operations up to 10km away, or up to 25km with added relays for fixed installations.
There are also some handy security and compliance features, including data encryption, no flight log sync for the US, and an emergency flight termination system.
Then there are the drones themselves: the new Matrice 4D and 4TD. The models feature an IP55 dust/water resistance rating and can fly for up to 54 minutes. The 4D model is optimized for mapping and inspection tasks with its 24mm wide, 48MP medium tele, and 48MP tele cameras. Meanwhile, the 4TD pulls double duty for emergencies and public safety with mostly the same cameras – except it gains a thermal imager and night vision capabilities.
Both drones integrate tightly with DJI’s software for automated flights, object tracking, infrared analytics, and intelligent change detection. Helpful accessories include obstacle sensors, a long-range speaker system, and a 100-meter gimbal spotlight. There’s even an option to run third-party payloads.
What’s the catch? Well, this is an industrial-grade setup, so it doesn’t come cheap. The Dock 3 bundles start at $21,059 for the version with the Matrice 4D or $23,409 with the 4TD. Those prices don’t include the mobile gimbal mount, installation fees, or any software or hardware add-ons. But cutting-edge tech capable of launching drones from moving vehicles isn’t exactly going to be wallet-friendly.
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