DJI Phantom 4, the world’s first intelligent drone launched in India at Rs 1,21,000

DJI Phantom 4 has a maximum flight time of 28 minutes and can travel at 20 metres per second in sport mode

DJI, the global leader in unmanned aerial vehicles, has officially marked its entry into India with the launch of Phantom 4 drone. Phantom 4 is the latest drone in the Phantom series and will be available at a price Rs 1,21,000.

DJI Phantom 4 is a significant upgrade over previous offering Phantom 3 drone. The Phantom 4’s highlight is the new self-aware feature which makes it the first intelligent drone in the market.

DJI Phantom 4’s on-board intelligence system makes piloting the drone easier and offers greater control of camera to videographers. It also comes with advanced features like obstacle sensing system, active tracking and tapfly function.

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Phantom 4 is the latest drone in the Phantom series and will be available at a price Rs 1,21,000

With DJI Phantom 4, even beginners can fly with confidence thanks to its intelligent features. “The Phantom 4 will enable creative professionals to produce better content with new tools and optimisation techniques,” said Kevin On, Associate Director of Communications, DJI.

The Phantom 4’s obstacle sensing system features two forward facing optical sensors that scan for obstacles and automatically directs the drone when it senses obstacles around. The drone is intelligent enough to halt to a stop when it cannot go around the obstacle.

DJI Phantom 4’s obstacle sensing system also works when the user triggers ‘Return to Home’ command. DJI says it wants to reduce the risk of collision when automatically flying back to the takeoff point.

DJI Phantom 4 uses dual sonar sensors and dual optical sensors for better landing

However, the single most important feature is the new ActiveTrack function which takes company’s follow me feature to a whole new level. The new feature works using the DJI GO app on Android or iOS device allows users to keep the camera and drone centered around the subject, as the drone moves simply by tapping the go button. Kevin says the feature has been highly used by people shooting joggers, cyclists or fast moving subjects.

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The DJI Phantom 4 also comes with a new 12MP camera capable of recording 4K videos at 30fps and Full HD videos at 120fps. DJI has also sealed the camera gimbal with an aluminium casing which offers better stability while shooting aerial videos.

DJI Phantom 4 comes with dual IMUs and dual compass for better reliability. The drone uses dual sonar sensors and dual optical sensors for better landing, something that has been an issue with most drones.

The biggest hurdle for DJI Phantom 4 in India will be the lack of rules for drone flying

DJI has also enabled a new Sport Mode which allows users to fly the drone at 20 metres per second. DJI says the Phantom 4 is able to achieve such speed thanks to its push-and-lock propellers.

The company claims it’s not illegal to fly drones in India. However, a permission from DGCA is mandatory before flying these drones. The DGCA is yet to finalise rules for unmanned aerial vehicles. The draft rules published recently suggests unique identification numbers for such drones.

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DJI says its Phantom 4 drone is primarily meant for aerial photograhy and videography. It is intended for creative purposes and not for carrying payloads. With safety being a priority, DJI is trying to educate the public and its customers about UAV safety through its Fly Safe website.

DJI Phantom 4 is capable of 28 minutes flight time and will be available in India for Rs 1,21,000. The standard DJI Phantom 4 with one extra battery pack is priced at Rs 1,27,000.