Have you ever wondered what happens when your UAV stalls in mid-air? It’s probably not something you want to think about, especially if your aircraft is carrying expensive camera gear. Enter the DJI DropSafe. While details are scant, based on the video that's circulating on the Internet (and embedded below), the DropSafe appears to be a parachute—a "drop speed reduction system," according to DJI—that deploys automatically or operator-triggered in the event of malfunction.
Obviously this system isn’t foolproof. For a parachute to be effective the aircraft will need to be above a certain altitude, which may be problematic since UAVs are inherently low-flying. But it beats hitting the floor at the UVA's terminal velocity and increases safety for people on the ground.
As to what UVA models this will work with, DJI's demo video shows the Spreading Winds S1000. And they state it will work with the A2 and WooKong-M (WKM) flight control systems. The added weight probably means we won't see it for the Phantom quadcopters right away; though I wouldn't be surprised if we see a scaled down version in the not-too-distant future.
So when can you get your hands on one? That we don't know, as it has only just been made public. We also can't say how much it will be or exactly what its limitations are. However, for shooters mounting professional camera gear this will almost certainly seem like a smart investment.
Learn all about the legal issues surrounding drone use in our "Are Quadcopters Legal?" article.
3 Comments
Whoah! Now who is copying who?
Every since the Hubsan X4 Pro 109s High Edition came out in the beginning of 2016 (with its parachute) DJI Phantom people have been very critical of it and and quite honestly unfair in many ways. They tout that for a $1000. quad / flying cam-rig that you are better off buying a Phantom and Hubsan is just copying DJI blah blah blah. Well folks Hubsan is the one that came out with the whole parachute concept in a big way with the X4 Pro Low, Mid & High Edition and it looks like DJI is now chasing Hubsan's ideas rather than the other way around. Folks I am a Phantom owner and a Hubsan X4 Pro High Edition owner and I am here to tell you that Hubsan has finally arrived with this new (its a Pro series not a toy) approach. Yes its their first entry into the serious GPS aircraft and the H7000 intigrated transmitter w/ 7” built-in Android tablet has really stepped-up the game. I would characterize the Hubsan X4 Pro HD as a Phantom 3 Professional on Steroids because its so fast, strong and extremely responsive so ease-up on the sticks a little when you fly the HUbsan if you are use to the Phantom. Now all Hubsan needs to do is up their video to the 4K game not that their 1080P HD camera is anything to snicker at because its as good if not better than a GoPro (very little fisheye). One last note and that is Hubsans 3 axis gimbal rivals the DJI Osmo any day of the week.
Just my opinion. I own both aircraft so I am allowed to state it!
Hello, we just purchased a SJI S900 from multirotorheli in Calgory Canads and are very interested in this product. Is it available for purchase yet?
Hi Robert -
We have no updated news on the DJI DropSafe system. As soon as we do, details will be posted.
Please contact us via e-mail if you have additional questions: [email protected]