Having spent the last few months discounting it’s range of Phantom 3 drones, the leader in consumer drone technology DJI has today announced the latest version of it’s “flying camera” technology the Phantom 4.
At $2399 it’s also DJI’s most expensive drone ever, but it is certainly a revolutionary leap forward in terms of technology.
Key to the new Phantom 4 is its “sense and avoid” technology which utilises four small on-board cameras, two facing forward two facing down – to “see” objects and avoid them.
The proof will be in the flying – and likely the crashing, but the concept is that it can basically fly autonomously. In fact a new flight mode allows you to simply tap an area on the controller screen and the drone will fly there.
Those cameras are also used to enable a new flight mode called “activetrack”. In this mode the Phantom 4 can identify an object on-screen and follow it – so if you’re running, walking, cycling, driving – the drone will follow that object. This is a key feature in all flagship drones these days, but normally requires a tracking device like the controller or GPS bracelet. The Phantom 4 will follow any object.
The camera lens is improved, as is the battery – the all-new battery will give you around 28 minutes flight time which is a big leap forward for pilots.
The body is redesigned, with a new polished shell, and higher motors to avoid getting those rotors in your footage. It can travel faster and further – it appears to be a real leap forward for DJI.
We’ll test it out soon – but it looks the goods. Order Online today or at your local Drone specialist such as Sphere in Sydney
Trev is a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker and Rev Head.
He produces and hosts several popular podcasts, EFTM, Two Blokes Talking Tech, Two Blokes Talking Electric Cars, The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen, and the Private Feed. He is the resident tech expert for Triple M on radio across Australia, and is the resident Tech Expert on Channel 9’s Today Show and appears regularly on 9 News, A Current Affair and Sky News Early Edition.
Father of three, he is often found in his Man Cave.
