Drone News & Articles

The release of a new DJI drone is always an exciting moment – no matter the volume of leaked information on the product beforehand – and one of prolonged anticipation as buyers get an official eyeful of the cutting-edge gear they can finally order. That’s no different today as the global UAV leader unveils its Air 3, featuring dual cameras, omnidirectional obstacle sensors, and an extended 46 minutes of flight time.

Checkout our review here

As readers of DroneDJ know, the weeks running up to today’s new Air 3 introduction were punctuated by image and data alerts about the drone from leakers – and one prolific pilferer of DJI secrets in particular. That premature unofficial previewing notwithstanding, the updated UAV now promises to combine the advantages of light weight, easy portability, and middle-of-product-line price with some of the most powerful onboard tech DJI has to offer – not to mention a major upgrade from the Air 2S predecessor rolled out in April 2021.

Read: Leaker reveals new DJI delivery drone nearing rumored unveiling

At the risk of stating what in recent weeks has become increasingly obvious, the marquee features of DJI’s Air 3 are dual 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensors: a wide-angle and a 3x medium tele camera, respectively. Those will provide users with what the company describes as an improved “sense of compression in their shots and… a medium focal length,” with 48MP photos and 4K/60fps HDR videos, and 2.7K vertical video shooting (9:16) that can be uploaded immediately to social media.

As noted previously, the Air 3 also ensures full obstacle avoidance assurance through its omnidirectional sensing capabilities and a nearly 50% longer flight time of 46 minutes over DJI’s existing Air 2S drone’s 31 minutes. Adding to that power innovation, meanwhile, is the company’s battery charging hub that supports a charge accumulation function, allowing users to transfer leftover juice from multiple other batteries to the one with the highest remaining reserves.

So enough about the previously leaked gadgetry for a second (prospective buyers will be protesting), and what about the cost?

The entry-level Air 3 package – including the drone and DJI RC-N2 – sells for $1,099, a mere 100 bungeros more than the Air 2S when it was released two years and oh-so-many inflation price increases ago. The DJI Air 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC-N2) costs $1,349, while the DJI Air 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2) runs $1,549.

The resulting reinforced balance between powerful drone, camera, and tech capacities and the relative affordability and easy transportability of the new drone, says DJI creative director Ferdinand Wolf, is the most recent manifestation of the logic behind the Air line of products since its inception.

“The DJI Air 3 is the first drone of our Air Series which offers professional features like dual primary cameras and omnidirectional obstacle sensing, and at the same time (retains) its lightweight capabilities with a weight of just 720g for more freedom and flexibility,” said Wolf. “The drone is the perfect all-rounder for your outdoor adventures, and offers you a more diverse camera language.”

Additional features of the new Air 3 include drone flight and content-enhancing functionalities that DJI’s release document details as:

FocusTrack for both cameras: Consisting of Spotlight 2.0, ActiveTrack 5.0 and Point of Interest 3.0. FocusTrack keeps the subject in the center of the frame. When using the 3x medium tele camera, a unique sense of spatial compression will be generated to highlight the pilot or any other person as the subject in terrific status. 

QuickShots: Empowers the DJI Air 3 to perform creative camera movements like Rocket, Dronie, Circle, Helix, Boomerang, and Asteroid.

2.7K Vertical Shooting: The DJI Air 3 supports dual-camera 2.7K vertical video shooting. The wide-angle camera can include rich image information, while the 3x medium tele camera can portrait the pilot or others as the subject, facilitating more eye-catching vertical aerial photography. The 2.7K vertical shot output can be shared immediately on social media without post-cropping.

MasterShots: Allows the DJI Air 3 to automatically perform diverse camera movements, shoots multiple clips, edits the clips, and adds music to generate fast and effortless cinematic footage.

Night Mode: Thanks to the noise reduction algorithm, the DJI Air 3 can capture up to 4K/30fps clean footage in low-light environments.

Hyperlapse: Select from four sub-modes of Free, Circle, Course Lock, and Waypoint to shoot up to 4K horizontal or 2.7K vertical timelapse footage.

Slow Motion: Select 4K/100fps or 1080p/100fps to directly record a 4x slow-motion video.

SmartPhoto 3.0: In single shot mode, the DJI Air 3 uses SmartPhoto 3.0 by default, which can automatically select among HDR, hyperlight, and scene recognition according to the scenario for better imaging results. In HDR DNG format, the camera can record a larger dynamic range with built-in contrast enhancement. The image file can achieve JPG-level quality in post-editing software, reducing the difficulty of post-production.

QuickTransfer: Quickly download photos and videos from the aircraft to your smartphone through a wireless connection, saving time and effort.

LightCut: Connect the DJI Air 3 wirelessly to the LightCut app on the phone for intelligent recognition of highlight moments and one-tap editing. There is no need to download the footage during the process, saving storage on the phone.
One-Tap Edit: Intelligently identifies the composition and flight path, selects clips with delicate composition and stable camera movements, automatically matches the best template and sound effects, and then generates a cinematic video effortlessly.
Tilt-Shift Effects: Enjoy incredible effects that make the shot look miniature and toy-like with just one tap. Apply this feature to footage shot with the 3x medium tele camera for even better results.

Waypoint Flight: This feature is available on the Air Series for the first time. The user can plan flight routes and shooting actions for the DJI Air 3 in advance to achieve difficult camera movements like one-takes. Pilots can also save a flight route to repeat the same mission precisely later, making it easy to create long-duration timelapse videos that capture transitions such as day to night or season to season.

Read: After Air 3 drone posts, leaker shares info on new DJI Osmo 4

Other DJI options available during the purchase of a new Air 3 include the DJI Air 3 ND Filters Set; DJI 100W USB-C Power Adapter; DJI 65W Car Charger; and DJI Care Refresh extended protection and servicing of the drone.

DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise (M3E) on the Farm!

DJI has set a fairly blistering pace of new drone releases in 2023, but according to an online leaker racking up an increasing number of discoveries about developing products, the aerial parade isn’t over yet – with a new Air 3 craft said to be on the way soon.

This week the @Quadro_News Twitter feed made a quick switch from dishing details about the new Matrice 350 RTK that DJI released last week – though only after the leaker behind it, Igor Bogdanov, had previously published most of the salient information about the new flagship drone – with new indicators that a Mavic Air 3 is now in the works.

The online sleuth – who earlier this year broke into the elite leaker club by sharing development information later confirmed by rollouts – initially alerted drone fans to a looming Air 3 release with what he noted were doubtless faked images of the craft. Yet accompanying those fabricated photos was data Bogdanov offered up on what he said were yet to be substantiated details about the rumored UAV.

“According to unconfirmed reports, the DJI Air 3 is expected to be released in late June or early July 2023 – 1-inch sensor -3x 1/1.3-inch or 7x 1/2-inch telephoto lens, – add 4g -30 m. flight time,” Bogdanov tweeted, noting circulation of the “most likely” faked images might be a sign DJI officials have started to clamp down on in-house product development documents leakers have been recently obtaining in droves. “Someone has tightened the control.”

The following day, Bodanov posted a veritable photo of what looks to be a DJI drone undergoing testing, with another unofficial tip on what the cost of an upcoming Air 3 might be.

“Estimated price 7,500 yuan ($1,063.81)” he wrote before adding his now trademark tweet of DJI’s nose in having apparently scooped the company’s eventual drone unveiling. “Continuing to work on DJI’s behalf to drum up public interest in the forthcoming fiery new Air 3.”

The increasingly large thorn in DJI’s side went further a couple hours later with a photo of strewn drone batteries that might include one for a new Air 3 (“Everything is so sloppy,” he joshed). 

He then upped the ante with another, somewhat blurry shot of the developmental DJI product placed on paving stones, with the front of the drone mostly visible toward the left-side frame. “Note that the Air 3 drone’s camera is large,” he said.

As always, it’s never certain leaked information will translate into the actual UAVs those unofficial tips seem to suggest.

Meanwhile there are peripheral reasons to suspect DJI may indeed be moving to add a new Air 3 to its growing list of 2023 drone releases.

For starters, the original Air 2 was rolled out way back in 2020. Improvements added with the upgrading to the Air 2S about a year later, meanwhile, having largely been overtaken by tech advancements since then – many of which are now standard in other subsequently marketed DJI drones. 

The June or July release date would also more or less jibe with the speculative DJI product introduction calendar offered up in January by another reliable leaker, DealsDrone, which forecast a May launch of a new Air 3.

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May 24 Update

Leaks (and leakers) apparently love company, which my be why several hours after this post went live, the aforementioned DealsDrone tweeted what appears to be the short video from which Bogdanov’s front-end photos of the purported test version Air 3 test were captured.

DealsDrone’s accompanying text is brief, but identifies the trial craft as DJI’s rumored release, before allowing the (moving) pictures to speak thousands of words.

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Only time, and DJI, will tell whether this week’s rumors pan out into a new Air 3 drone in coming weeks – unless Bogdanov manages to flesh out the craft with additional leaks first.

DRONELIFE had the opportunity to participate in a time-honored tradition at the New York Stock Exchange: the ringing of the opening bell.  We were there to celebrate the launch of a new way to invest in the drone industry: the listing of UAV: an AdvisorShares Drone Technology ETF.

At DRONELIFE, we get calls and emails all the time from readers and investors who want to know how they can participate in the drone industry’s growth.  Over the past several years, regulations, drone technology, global supply chain issues, and heightened awareness of security issues have all contributed to the rapid adoption of uncrewed systems.  Urban air mobility and advanced passenger aircraft are on the horizon, with global regulators predicting deployment right in the next few years.  And beyond drone hardware of any size, a widespread ecosystem of supporting technologies is booming.

The UAV ETF offers “Dedicated Drone Exposure: Thematic investment in unmanned aerial vehicles and autonomous vehicles” for investors who want the opportunity to participate in the drone industry, as UAVs are poised to become a part of everyday life around the world.

Venture capital investment in  drone industry startups continues to break new records every year: and the numbers are getting bigger. As more drone ecosystem players go public – and more publicly traded companies participate in the drone industry – AdvisorShare’s Drone Technology ETF provides a welcome way to invest in the drone industry.  Check out the details here, including the list of holdings.

At DRONELIFE, we are true believers in the drone industry.  We believe that drones have the potential to change the world for the better, taking on the dark, dirty and dangerous jobs best handled by uncrewed systems.  In wildfires and emergency response, drones have become an invaluable and revolutionary tool.  Drones can ease supply chain challenges, meet needs caused by aging populations and connect depopulated rural areas to critical supplies.  UAVs can make policing safer for officers and communities, make search and rescue more effective, and change our response to environmental challenges.  We were honored to participate in the NYSE opening bell ceremony with investors and managers who share our vision, and we’re excited to see the introduction of a new way to invest in drones.

Written by Miriam McNabb 1 May 2025

Today, drone and aerial imaging leader DJI launched the DJI Matrice 350 RTK (M350 RTK), an upgraded flagship drone platform offering more adaptable, safe and efficient aerial operation

“It’s great to see how commercial drone pilots around the world use DJI platforms to carry out their operations with increased safety and more effectively than using traditional technology,” said Christina Zhang, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at DJI. “The new capabilities offered by the advanced technology of the M350 RTK enables operators to push these boundaries even further.”

The M350 RTK has a max flight time of 55 minutes and a payload capacity of 2.7kg. In addition, the new DJI O3 Enterprise Transmission offers triple-channel 1080p HD live feeds and a max transmission distance of 20 km via its four-antenna transceiver system. The system is able to determine which two antennas are optimal to transmit signals, while all four receive signals simultaneously.

The M350 RTK’s IP rating has been improved from IP45 to IP55, and its six-directional binocular vision system and infrared sensing system grant six-directional awareness, positioning, and obstacle-sensing capabilities. The drone’s new arm lock detection function avoids the risk of unlocked arm sleeves. The M350 RTK also incorporates a multi-layered redundancy design in both the aircraft and sensor system. Additionally, the FPV camera has been enhanced to allow for safer nighttime operations. A CSM radar can also be purchased separately and mounted on the top of the drone, granting a range of up to 30m for subtle obstacles within the 360° detection range.

The drone comes with the DJI RC Plus, providing the operator with a 7-inch high-bright screen, the option of Dual Operator Mode and an operating time of up to six hours with a standard WB37 external battery.  It is dustproof and waterproof to IP54 and has an operating temperature of -20° to 50° C (-4° to 122° F).  It has buttons and dials on the front, back and top, along with customizable button functions.  The RC Plus’ app, Pilot 2, improves efficiency with a full range of options to manage the drone and project.Efficiency is further increased with the drone’s intelligent functions. AI Spot Check can automate routine inspections and capture consistent results. PinPoint can mark an object and have its coordinates calculated and projected to all camera views as an AR icon, especially useful in search and rescue operations.

The M350 RTK’s new TB65 battery has a 100% increased battery cycle count and can be charged up to 400 cycles. Its dual-battery system supports battery hot swapping, enabling multiple flights without powering off.

The new BS65 Intelligent Battery Station offers multiple charging modes and 360°-movement wheels for convenient transportation. When the battery station is connected to DJI RC Plus, the DJI Pilot 2 app will display the battery status and health information. The user will also be able to set the number of self-discharge days, update firmware, export logs, and access other quick operations with a single tap.

The M350 RTK supports a single downward gimbal, dual downward gimbals, and single upward gimbal, and has an E-Port open interface. Its max payload capacity of 2.7 kg lets it carry up to three payloads at once to meet a wide range of operations.

Users can further improve the M350 RTK’s versatility through the use of the DJI SDK and API ecosystem, including Payload SDK, Mobile SDK, and Cloud AP.

Written by Miriam McNabb 18 May 2023

German UAV manufacturer and service provider Wingcopter has received a major cash infusion from the European Investment Bank (EIB) of €40 million ($43.8 million), designed to fund scaling of the company’s international drone delivery activities.

Wingcopter made the announcement early Thursday morning, calling the €40 million injection a “quasi-equity investment” by the EIB to help the firm “expand delivery services in Europe and abroad, and accelerate (its) innovation efforts.” The backing will notably support the launch and mass production of the company’s new UAV, the Wingcopter 198, which is designed to make triple-drop drone deliveries within ranges of 110 km.

The EIB is owned by European Union member states and backed by the bloc’s InvestEU sustainable project funding organization. It says the funding aims to support a company blazing a trail in battery-powered UAV aircraft and service development – and working to eventually transition those to hydrogen fuel operation.

The EIB’s selection of Wingcopter, however, also seems to reflect its desire to ally itself with a European reference in drone delivery activities, opting over alternatives like Ireland’s expanding Manna Aero, the UK’s Skyports, or US-origin Wing. The choice, while not excluding the EIB from funding other UAV firms later, may generate some debate.

Despite its reputation for cutting-edge aerial tech, Wingcopter has thus far been limited to what even it describes as “several small-scale commercial and humanitarian projects,” including work in Malawi for UNICEF. 

But that may change this summer with the debut of the Wingcopter 198, which will be front and center of a drone project in the German lander of Hesse providing on-demand drone delivery of foodstuffs and consumer goods to rural communities where local retailers are rare or entirely absent.

Wingcopter has also been recruited as the principal partner in a massive project to create a 12,000-drone commercial and medical delivery network in Africa, overseen by the Ghana-based subsidiary of a Dubai investment group.

In commenting on the EIB’s investment in Wingcopter, bank vice-president Ambroise Fayolle said the move sought to expand the EU’s support of sustainable technologies in a manner also benefitting a local player in the swiftly emerging drone delivery sector.

“Europe is currently the global leader in cleantech, and we must work hard to maintain this lead,” said Fayolle. “Backing European cleantech pioneers with global reach like Wingcopter is central to our mission. Electric cargo drones are an important vertical segment for a future of sustainable transport and logistics. This investment underlines our commitment to supporting entrepreneurs growing and building advanced green technology businesses in the European Union, strengthening our technological competitiveness, creating highly skilled jobs and opening up new markets, while preserving nature.”

Envious US drone delivery rivals may contend – as in earlier eras featuring accusations between Boeing and Airbus over how various government funding effected competitiveness – that the EIB investment is akin to a EU-subsidy. But Wingcopter CEO Tom Plümmer insists the “quasi-equity stake” (which has yet to be explained) will develop the firm’s activities in ways profiting communities inside the bloc and beyond.

“Our goal is to improve lives by creating many jobs – in R&D and manufacturing at our headquarters in Europe, as well as in the countries where we provide services, where we train and qualify local young people to operate our drone delivery networks,” he said. “It requires strong partners like the EIB to build reliable, efficient and safe delivery drone technology and logistics services.”

Written by Bruce Crumley - 11 May 2023

We’re on the precipice of a new age where many deliveries will fall from the sky rather than being driven to our door. Amazon has a long way to get us there, though.

As reported by CNBC, the company has only made around 100 drone deliveries as part of Amazon Prime Air, the company’s experimental delivery service that delivers packages up to five pounds to your doorstep by air rather than ground. According to internal reports, Amazon hopes to make 10,000 drone deliveries by the end of the year, so they have a way to go here.

The lack of growth in deliveries can be attributed to two things. First, a large number of Prime Air employees were let go when Amazon went through its latest round of layoffs earlier this year. In addition, the company is running into a lot of regulatory hurdles to get its drones operational. Amazon spokesperson Av Zammit said the FFA has yet to allow the company to expand its delivery services more broadly.

“While the FAA broadened Prime Air’s authority to conduct drone deliveries to include sites in California and Texas, the phased process for expanding our service areas is taking longer than we anticipated.”

As Amazon plays catchup, there are a few other drone delivery companies that have already made tens of thousands of deliveries. Both Alphabet’s Wing and Zipline are far ahead of Amazon right now.

I watched Mark Rober’s video on Zipline and it’s a really amazing concept, not only for deliveries to hard-to-reach places for emergency situations but for deliveries in general. The company wants to use its new droid to make all sorts of deliveries like food, prescriptions, etc. The applications are pretty widespread.

I’m personally excited about this future. It’s more sustainable, faster, and more private. Granted, it could also upend an entire freelance industry of drivers, but that’s a future we’re all going to have to prepare for.

Amazon might have only made 100 deliveries now, but it’s Amazon. Once it gets going, it’s not hard to think that number is going to explode, and quickly.

Written by Joe Wituschek | 19 May 2023