DJI: Introduction to the Aircraft Obstacle Avoidance System

DJI is revolutionising the Drone Industry which is equal to what Tesla is doing to Auto Industry. And both have one common thing - Obstacle Sensing for Auto-Pilot and navigation. Let's see what are the technologies used by DJI drones and how the Aircraft Obstacle Avoidance System are used. 

Knowledge Tip: DJI is also working on similar technology for Cars and Automobiles.

Applicable Products: DJI Mini Series, DJI Mavic Series, DJI Air Series, Spark, Phantom Series, Inspire Series, DJI Avata Series, DJI Neo, DJI Enterprise Series 

When using the aircraft, in addition to directly seeing the image from the Aircraft's camera view, the aircraft has "sensing abilities" that we cannot see with the naked eye.

It is recommended by DJI to enable the obstacle avoidance function in the app during the flight.

DJI drones are equipped with advanced obstacle avoidance systems that enhance flight safety by detecting and avoiding obstacles in various directions. These systems utilize a combination of vision sensors and infrared sensing technologies to provide comprehensive environmental awareness.

Vision Sensing System in DJI Drones

DJI drones employ binocular vision systems, which mimic human stereoscopic vision by using two cameras facing the same direction. This setup enables the drone to perceive a three-dimensional image of its surroundings and accurately calculate distances between objects. The vision sensing system is most effective in well-lit environments; however, its performance can diminish in low-light conditions or areas with significant lighting changes. Additionally, the system's efficacy depends on the reflective properties of the objects it detects, making it less reliable over smooth surfaces like mirrors or tiles. Therefore, when operating DJI drones at night or in dimly lit areas, pilots should remain vigilant of their surroundings.

Infrared Sensing System in DJI Drones

DJI drones incorporate infrared sensing systems that emit infrared rays toward obstacles and measure the reflection time to calculate distances accurately. This method is straightforward and safe but has limitations, including lower measurement accuracy, shorter detection ranges, and reduced directionality compared to vision systems. Despite these limitations, infrared sensors are beneficial in environments where vision systems may be less effective.

Ultrasonic Sensing System in DJI Drones

Some DJI drones are equipped with ultrasonic sensing systems that use sound waves to detect obstacles. Ultrasonic Sensing systems are advantageous because they are not affected by light, dust, or smoke. However, their effectiveness can be reduced when flying over surfaces that poorly reflect sound waves, such as soft materials like blankets, leading to inaccurate distance measurements.

Enabling/Disabling Obstacle Avoidance in DJI Drones

Pilots can manage the obstacle avoidance features of their DJI drones through the respective DJI applications:

• DJI Fly App:

1. Tap the three dots ("•••") in the top right corner of the camera view.
2. Navigate to the "Safety" tab.
3. Select the desired function under "Obstacle Avoidance Action."

• DJI GO 4 App:

1. Tap the three dots ("•••") in the top right corner of the camera view.
2. Go to "Visual Navigation Settings."
3. Toggle "Enable Obstacle Avoidance" on or off as needed.

If the aircraft displays a "Vision system error," pilots should refer to the Aircraft Vision Sensor Calibration Instructions to resolve the issue.

Understanding and properly managing the obstacle avoidance systems in DJI drones is crucial for safe and efficient flight operations. By familiarizing themselves with these systems, pilots can ensure better control and safety during their flights.