
DJI drones will soon be equipped with up-to-the-minute guidance systems that can inform the user of temporary flight restrictions such as major stadium events, forest fires, or other variables.
The system will also automatically include first time restrictions around areas such as power plants and prisons, where drones might raise security concerns.
“DJI invented geofencing over two years ago and now continues its industry leadership by balancing enhanced safety with the flexibility of accountable self-authorization,” said Brendan Schulman, DJI’s VP of Policy and Legal Affairs. “We believe this major upgrade to our geofencing system will do even more to help operators understand their local flight environment, and to make smart, educated decisions about when and where to fly their drones.”
The “No Fly Zone” geofencing system put into place by DJI in 2013 applies to airports and high-security areas such as Washington, D.C.
Except in areas of national security concerns, this won’t be “strict” geofencing – users will have the chance to authorize themselves.
Users who open verified DJI accounts may be able to temporarily unlock or their own flights in relatively secure areas.
“Our years of actual user experience have shown that in most instances, strict geofencing is the wrong approach for this technology, and instead we are helping operators make informed, accountable decisions,” Schulman said.
The new system will be available first in North America in December, and will launch gradually in other regions. The geospatial data used for DJI’s geofencing is gathered by AirMap, headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif.