Emerging Drone Tech in 2024: DJI’s Dock 2

For years, the drone industry has been on a trajectory toward complete autonomy. With DJI’s latest drone tech release, that vision becomes a tangible reality, as their seamless integration of human direction and drone execution brings a new era in efficiency and precision in a variety of applications.

Complete autonomy is a coveted feature within the drone solutions industry, therefore cutting down on labor-intensive manual inspections filled with risks and limitations. Instead, DJI technology can autonomously execute missions, collecting data and reporting back to a command-and-control center, without compromising safety or accuracy.

The latest innovation from DJI – the DJI Dock 2, is built to operate 24/7. The remote drone operation dock houses a Matrice 30, allowing the drone to land, recharge, and execute missions that are programmed through DJI FlightHub 2.

The specific applications that benefit from DJI’s new technology are as vast as they are impactful, specifically in the realm of public safety. From surveillance to search and rescue operations, automated missions are both effective and efficient. Simply put, DJI allows for someone at a computer to instruct the drone to start a mission, complete an inspection, and much more – all from miles away.

M3TD drone techAlong with the new DJI Dock 2, there are two products at the heart of DJI innovation:  the M3D and the M3TD (Matrice 3D/3TD).

The M3D features a powerful zoom camera, tailored for traditional inspection work. Whether surveying cell phone towers for loose screws or identifying broken components, the M3D is a game-changer in the field of infrastructure maintenance.

Furthermore, the M3TD takes thermal imaging to new heights, making it an indispensable tool in public safety initiatives. The ability to detect heat signatures from above is a key component in efficient emergency response scenarios.

Additionally, the DJI Dock 2 boasts a lighter weight than the Dock 1, requiring only 1-2 people to transport the device. The dock also features improved coverage, with a 50-minute maximum flight time.

The future of drone solutions is here and it’s in the palm of your hand – quite literally. We are currently accepting pre-orders for the DJI Dock. Contact your Exertis Almo representative to get started today!

Eric Jameson drones BDM

About the Author

Matt Callari

Director of Sales – Photo, UAV, Retail

—-

Check out more of our blog pots on Drone Solutions.

Drones in the AV Industry and AV in the Drone Industry: How 2 Markets Interact with Each Other

Two separate markets, Drone Solutions and Professional AV Technology, are converging in ways that promise groundbreaking possibilities. At Exertis Almo, we are at the forefront of connecting these two industries, fostering a connection that will bring innovation to new heights.

Drone solutions, a recent player in comparison to the well-established Professional AV industry, are rapidly growing in popularity and presence. Although the drone market is less mature, its potential is undeniable, especially as these solutions are becoming increasingly common in a variety of applications.

Drone technology is not merely capturing visuals; it’s harnessing data for groundbreaking applications. From creating intricate 3D models to providing temperature readings, drone solutions enable a comprehensive understanding of environments, and the ability to review this collected data allows for proactive issue resolution. control center

A Command and Control Center – a large space equipped with many different screens – allows for the monitoring and control of a drone from an external location. Specifically in public safety applications, this extensive control space is integral for managing drone functions remotely, ensuring efficiency and precision in critical operations.

One growing challenge that we aim to address is the understanding of data – and where it’s going. From command-and-control centers and workbenches to office spaces and beyond, we can help provide a solution that integrates this data flow.

On the flip side, the Professional AV industry, although daunting to some, has a vast customer base. By acknowledging the extensive reach of the AV industry, we hope to unlock new avenues of collaboration with drone technology. Enter Exertis Almo – our mission is to encourage AV integrators to inquire about their customers’ data collection and command and control needs. With applications spanning government, education, public safety, and more, drones can play an important role in the Pro AV ecosystem.

Furthermore, Exertis Almo has recently partnered with SDI, offering training services available to Pro AV customers venturing into the realm of drones. This includes training programs and service support, empowering Pro AV integrators to seamlessly incorporate drones into their offerings.

Learn more about the extensive drone offerings now available at Exertis Almo.

Eric Jameson drones BDM
About the Author

Matt Callari

Director of Sales – Photo, UAV, Retail

Connecting the Dots in the Drone Solutions Category

Oftentimes, AV integrators do not readily understand the connection with Drone Solutions, or why they should be interested. Once they connect the dots, the value proposition is clear, and then it just becomes a discussion at the executive level on how best to move forward. 

The bottom line is that commercial drone use is expanding at an accelerated growth rate, and it is a safe bet that at least 10-20% of an AV integrator’s current customers are already using commercial drones to accomplish a variety of different commercial tasks – purchased through other channels. That would equal anywhere from $50K to $300K or more in annual sales that could be incorporated into an AV integrator’s business, simply by having the conversation with their customer to understand if they are using commercial drones and letting those customers know they could purchase the product from them.

Based on the current state of the market, those customers are in 1 of 2 stages – either exploring the adoption of a drone program or expanding/updating equipment for a current program.  If they are exploring adoption, then an experienced AV integration company that they already do business with and trust can become their go-to source for this new and confusing technology with our help, if needed.  If they are in a product refresh cycle or expanding, then an AV integrator that they already know and trust can provide the necessary product on a consolidated purchase order.

Getting involved in the Drone Solutions category is a low-cost way to enter this new market with significant demonstrated growth and opportunity.  We are here to help AV integrators get their feet on the ground in this area by providing subject matter expertise and content training to help quickly bring an integrator up to speed. 

The Drone Solutions category is meant to provide a one-stop shop for experienced and novice integrators to find relevant manufacturers that have products associated with solutions that their end-users are looking for.  The Drone Solutions category brings together the various relevant drone hardware manufacturers, along with the needed addons like software for data analysis, potential Command and Control options (think traditional AV tech), and associated services, like training, into an environment where they can all be put on one purchase order.

Contact your Exertis Almo account manager today to let them know you are interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity.

Eric Jameson drones BDM
About the Author

Eric Jameson

Business Development Manager

Supported Manufacturer: Autel

Drones In Public Safety: Thermal Benefits and Uses

Introduction

Alongside the dynamic and rapidly evolving technology of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, are numerous potential applications. An effect of this evolution of technological capability is the adoption of more refined payload technologies. Beyond typical RGB Cameras, the UAS industry is experiencing the incorporation and integration of far more advanced technologies like Multi-Spectral, LiDAR, Infra-Red, Thermal, etc. This translates to greater diversity, utility capabilities, and adoption of these aircraft within developing verticals.

UAS Tech in Public Safety Overview

One of the prominent verticals that receives immediate benefits of the advantages of UAS is Public Safety. With the adoption of UAS technologies, first responders can immediately expand, complement, and enhance their capabilities.

DJI drone thermal imagingThermal

Up front, the immediate obvious use of UAS in public safety is their imaging capabilities. Something as simple as having a camera providing situational awareness can be of immense value in responding to calls. With the reduction in the cost and size of thermal cameras, this benefit is doubled – providing access to additional information.

What Is Thermal and Why Does it Matter for Public Safety?

Thermal imagers measure the emissivity of an object. Emissivity is the measurement of how much heat is radiating from an object. Almost everything on Earth is emissive, and the difference between the temperature of objects is where thermal imaging shines. From a public safety standpoint, this translates to locating lost persons in low light conditions and finding hot spots in firefighting.

Robert Voorhees
About the Author

Connor Smith

Business Development Manager

Supported Manufacturer: DJI

What is NDAA, Blue, and Green UAS?

What are some issues that resellers face when sourcing and selling drones?

With the advent of the availability, affordability, and ease of use of small, unmanned aircraft systems, a new market is coming into fruition. Most people have heard of drones in one way or another, often from the perspective of a small drone with a camera attached to it for use in photography. What happened in the drone space was that these new, cheaper, more affordable aircraft were being purchased and used in more and more places. Eventually, these, often Chinese, products ended up being used in data-sensitive applications. For example, military, government, security, etc. This gave rise to new cybersecurity concerns, which in turn created a new demand for an evolved product.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is a high-level, set of federal laws passed every year targeting these growing cybersecurity concerns. In order for a product to be NDAA compliant, it must not be produced by a set list of Chinese manufacturers. Additionally, this extends beyond drones into chipsets, cameras, displays, and other technology.

Blue UAS LogoIn the drone solutions space, there now exists two new certifications: Blue and Green UAS.

A Blue UAS must meet strict hardware and operating requirements to satisfy cybersecurity demands. Some examples include video transmission encryption, aircraft operating chipset, and internet connection. Blue UAS are specifically designed to meet the cybersecurity requirements for DOD and DOI applications. An example of a Blue UAS Exertis Almo carries is the IF1200 from Inspired Flight.

Green UAS LogoA Green UAS is a subset of cybersecurity certification offered by AUVSI. Green UAS is designed to encompass drones that may not necessarily be manufactured in the US, but rather in allied countries. The Green UAS certification follows closely behind the DIU Blue UAS certification 2.0 program. Meaning, the Green UAS certified aircraft are essentially the same as Blue minus their country of origin.

With the rapid advancement, availability, and affordability of drones, the industry is evolving quickly. For applications with high levels of cybersecurity demands, often seen in government and military projects, the drone space now has a clear and emerging industry certification. What started off as NDAA, has now grown out into Blue and Green UAS.

If you’d like to know more about the drone solutions available from Exertis Almo, contact our experts today.

Robert Voorhees
About the Author

Connor Smith

Business Development Manager

Supported Manufacturer: DJI

Autel Robotics EVO II Dual 640T Bundles

Exertis Almo Saves You Up to $500 on Autel’s EVO II 640T Bundles

See the details below for more information on the available EVO II bundles and watch the Autel videos to see the EVO II 640T in action.

EVO II Dual 640T Thermal Imaging Demonstration
EVO II Dual 640T: Thermal Analysis Tool Overview

Autel EVO II 640T V2 Rugged Bundle

EVO2-640T-V2-BUN

The Autel Robotics EVO II Dual 640T V2 Bundle combines one EVO II Dual 640T aircraft, one EVO II Battery Charging Hub, one EVO II 12V Car Charger, one EVO II Hard Case, two additional aircraft batteries, and two additional propeller pairs. This bundle is designed to fly out of the box and continue to fly for a longer period of time. In addition, the Autel Robotics EVO II Dual 640T V2 Bundle comes standard with one remote controller, one aircraft charger, one USB Micro A-USB Micro B cable, one USB Micro A-USB Type C cable, one gimbal cover, a packing list (includes quick guide, instructions, etc.), and a warranty card.

Autel EVO 2 Rugged bundle

Autel EVO II 640T Enterprise Bundle

EVO2-ENT-640T-BUN

Introducing the Autel Robotics EVO 2 Dual 640T – the most compact and advanced thermal drone. With a thermal resolution of 640×512 – the EVO 2 Dual 640T enables pilots to capture subjects with great detail from up to 100 meters – 4x farther than any aircraft of its class. The 30Hz refresh rate produces smooth dynamic thermal movement by matching thermal images to video frame rate. This package is ideal for many applications – including but not limited to power line inspections/firefighting/law enforcement/search and rescue operations/chemical plant inspections and solar farm inspections.

Autel EVO 2 Enterprise bundle
Contact your Exertis Almo team for more information on Autel Robotics.

Pin It on Pinterest