Review: DJI Matrice 4 drone series

• DJI unveils the DJI Matrice 4 Series, consisting of the DJI M4E and DJI M4T;

• DJI M4E is designed for precision surveying and inspection, featuring a four-module payload including wide-angle 4/3 CMOS sensor with a mechanical shutter;

• DJI M4T is equipped with thermal sensor, NIR light, laser rangefinder, and two zoom cameras - making it ideal for public safety, security, and inspection;

• Both drones feature a suite of smart features, including a built-in AI model that can identify vehicles, vessels, and subjects;

• DJI M4E has Smart 3D Capture to streamline 3D modelling of complex structures;

• The DJI Matrice 4 Series is available from heliguy™, to buy or to rent.

DJI has launched the Matrice 4 Series - featuring two new flagship multi-sensor enterprise drones.

This new drone family consists of the DJI Matrice 4E for precision surveying and visual inspection, and the DJI Matrice 4T thermal platform for operations such as public safety, security, and inspection.

Both aircraft are packed with intelligent features, including AI recognition capabilities, enhanced performance in low-light environments, 3x/7x optical zoom lenses, and a laser rangefinder for real-time measurement information.

To facilitate rapid and accurate mapping, the Matrice 4E has a 4/3 CMOS 20MP wide-angle camera with a mechanical shutter, a 0.5-second shooting interval, and in-camera distortion correction. It also supports Smart 3D Capture which greatly improves the efficiency of 3D model acquisition of complex buildings.

Meanwhile, the Matrice 4T has a 1/1.3 CMOS 48MP wide camera, a thermal sensor, and a Near Infrared Auxilary Light.

heliguy™ offers the DJI Matrice 4 Series for purchase and hire. Benefit from a deeply-integrated infrastructure and support network, consisting in-house consultancy, training, repairs, and surveying specialists.

DJI Matrice 4 Series: Key Features

The table below provides an overview of some of the key features of the DJI Matrice 4 Series.

DJI Matrice 4 Series: DJI M4E Vs DJI M4T

The DJI M4E and DJI M4T are compact, integrated drones with a built-in payload.

The DJI M4E has a four-module array - including wide-angle camera with mechanical shutter for precise geospatial data collection - while the DJI M4T's payload comprises six modules, including thermal sensor and Near Infrared (NIR) Auxiliary Light.

As the table shows, both drones are equipped with two zoom cameras: A 3x optical telephoto lens and a 7x telephoto camera.

The advantages of having both are:

• 3x Optical Telephoto Lens: This excels for medium-range inspection tasks. It can identify screws and cracks from a distance of 10 meters and clearly read instrument data at substations.

• 7x Telephoto Camera: With a resolution of 48MP, this camera is capable of capturing incredible details from signs up to 250 metres away.

These lenses have upgraded telephoto stabilisation for sharp foreground imagery at 10x zoom or more.

DJI Matrice 4E: Precision Drone Surveying

With its mechanical shutter and 4/3 CMOS sensor, the DJI M4E is optimised for accurate and efficient drone surveying and visual inspection.

The Matrice 4E has:

• 0.5-second Interval Shooting: The M4E's wide-angle lens - which is factory-calibrated - supports rapid 0.5-seconds interval shooting in orthophoto and oblique photography modes. Combine this with the drone's 21m/s flight time, and this unlocks high-speed aerial surveying.

• 5-Directional Olique Capture: The new 5-directional oblique capture enables the camera to shoot and collect data from multiple angles. This improves efficiency by 40% compared to the 3-directional oblique capture functionality of the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise. The DJI Matrice 4T also supports this feature.

• 3-Directional Ortho Capture: This feature enables lateral capturing while the drone is performing ortho collection tasks. This reduces lateral overlap. Consequently, Matrice 4E can complete a mapping operation of 2.8 square kilometres in a single flight.

• Surveying Quality Report: After completing a flight, access a survey quality report, which assists in evaluating the quality of capture while still on-site. This report includes the area captured; overlap rate; and RTK positioning status.

• Distortion Correction: Matrice 4E has distortion correction to enhance the precision of captured data.

The Matrice 4E is also equipped with Smart 3D Capture, which greatly improves the efficiency of 3D model acquisition of complex buildings.

This feature supports the capture and creation of a rough model on the remote controller. based on this, it can quickly generate precise mapping routes close to a structure's surface.

Enhanced Low-light Operations

The M4E and M4T are engineered to operate and collect quality data in low-light environments.

Both drones feature:

• Night Scene Mode: Improves the live view quality and clarity in low-light environments.

• Smart Capture: The M4 Series cameras have larger apertures and intelligent low-light capabilities, enhancing operations during dusk and nighttime.

• Low-light Fisheye Omnidirectional Sensing: Six HD low-light fisheye lenses enhance visual low-light positioning and obstacle avoidance capabilities.

• NIR Illumination: The Matrice 4T features a NIR light, lighting distances up to 100 metres.

DJI Matrice 4T: Thermal Sensor

While the M4E can collect data in low-light environments, the M4T takes things further, thanks to its thermal sensor and NIR auxiliary light.

The Matrice 4T's thermal sensor has a 640 x 512 resolution, but also supports a 1280 x 1024 infrared super-resolution.

The M4T features a new ambient temperature sensor, while the High-res Live View Mode provides superior thermal image quality ideal for observing thermally-flat scenes - especially useful for search and rescue, law enforcement, and wildlife monitoring.

Intelligent Operations With AI

The Matrice 4E and Matrice 4T have a built-in AI model, benefiting applications such as emergency rescue, animal protection, par patrol, and facility inspection. The laser rangefinder can be utilised to support AI operations.

The drones also support switching to other models, enabling the expansion of AI application scenarios.

An overview of the AI functionality includes:

• AI Detection: AI models for people, vehicles, and boats, and supports alarm and quantity statistics. 128 objects can be displayed in the camera view, while object counting can be displayed when reviewing a photo. It also supports third-party models.

• Distance Measurement: Pin-point and share location information, and display distances.

• Line & Area Drawing: Draw a line to measure the distance or draw a polygon to calculate the area size.

• FlyTo: Drop a pin using the laser rangefinder or map and automate the flight to the location. The drone automatically adjusts its flight path and speed based on the surrounding environment.

• SmartTrack: Precision positioning and automatic zoom adjustments.

• Point of Interest: Orbit modelling of a fixed-point task.

Enhanced Safety Features

The DJI Matrice 4 Series drones comprise a suite of enhanced safety features for worry-free operation.

These features include:

• Integrated Positioning: The GNSS+Vision Integrated Positioning and Navigation System allows for the return-to-home point to be updated through visual positioning. This allows for rapid takeoff within 15 seconds, as well as a safe return-to-home even without GNSS signals.

• Terrain Obstacle Data: When the remote controller is connected to the internet, it automatically loads terrain obstacle details and preloads detailed offline maps. The standard configuration includes a 5-directional vision assist view, along with downward vision.

• O4 Enterprise: This image transmission system incorporates an 8-antenna system with adaptive selection. It can achieve a download bandwidth of up to 20MB per second.

DJI M4D Series: Small Drones, Powerful Performance

The DJI M4D Series are portable platforms - thanks to their lightweight, foldable, and small design.

The drones weigh 1,219g (with normal propellers) and the dimensions are:

• Folded: 260.59 mm (length) x 113.66 mm (width) x 138.23 mm (height)

• Unfolded: 307 mm (length) x 387.5 mm (width) x 149.43 mm (height)

The drones have a maximum flight time of 49 minutes, with a maximum horizontal speed of 21 m/s (46.9mph).

They can take-off within 15 seconds for rapid deployment.

They can handle wind speeds of 12m/s, however, they are not IP-rated.

DJI RC Plus 2 Enterprise Controller

As well as the new drones, the Matrice 4 Series introduces a new controller: The DJI RC Plus 2 Enterprise.

This RC features a 7.02-inch LCD touchscreen with a maximum brightness of 1400 nits. This large, high-bright screen is optimised to handle direct sunlight.

The RC Plus 2 Enterprise has an IP54 rating and can handle temperatures from -20°C to 50°C.

It has a built-in battery life of 3.8 hours and an external battery life of 3.2 hours.

Utilising DJI O4 Enterprise Transmission, the DJI RC Plus 2 Enterprise has a max download speed of 20MB/s, a live view quality of 1080p/30fps, and 130ms latency. Its high gain antenna array offers stable transmission up to 12km (CE). It also supports 4G enhanced transmission.

DJI Matrice 4 Series: Accessory Ecosystem

The DJI Matrice 4 Series is compatible with a range of accessories to maximise the success of each mission.

This includes:

• High-precision D-RTK 3 Multifunctional Station: Use in base station mode, rover mode, or relay station mode.

• Real-time Voice Speaker: Supports real-time broadcasting, recorded messages, media imports, and text-to-speech conversion. Has a broadcast range of up to 300 metres.

• Gimbal-following Spotlight: Illuminate subjects up to 100 metres away. Supports 2 modes (always on or strobe). The light follows the gimbal's movements (can be toggled off). When enabled, the wide FOV lighting mode can be enabled, providing a wider illumination range in wide-angle view.

DJI Matrice 4 Series: Software Compatibility

The DJI Matrice 4 Series is compatible with the DJI software suite. Use with:

• RC Plus 2 with DJI Pilot 2 App: Quick camera switch; real-time view; manual and multiple flight routes.

• DJI FlightHub 2: All-in-one cloud-based drone operations management platform. New feature to remotely control the DJI M4 Series via FH2.

• DJI Terra: 2D, 3D, point cloud, and thermal modelling.

• DJI Modify: 3D model and point cloud model editing.

• DJI Thermal Analysis Tool: DJI M4T thermal image can be analysed and processed by this tool to detect and pinpoint temperature abnormalities.

• DJI Enterprise App: Supports D-RTK 3 and runs on Android devices (including RC Plus 2) and supports utilising D-RTK 3 to measure GCP coordinates.

Mission Scenarios For DJI Matrice 4 Series

The DJI Matrice 4 Series can be deployed for a range of missions.

The tables below showcase some of the key operational scenarios for each drone.

Geospatial With DJI Matrice 4E

Inspection - DJI Matrice 4T

Public Safety - DJI Matrice 4T

Summary

The DJI Matrice 4 Series is a revolutionary addition to the DJI Enterprise line-up, packing plenty of features into a small and compact frame.

Thanks to their individual camera array, the DJI M4E and DJI M4T offer different mission scenarios: The DJI M4E is a precision solution for surveying and visual inspection, while the DJI M4T is a platform best suited to public safety, search and rescue, law enforcement, and thermal/visual inspection.

To find out more, contact heliguy™.