New DJI Matrice 4E/4T Drone Series: The Next Evolution in Drone Operations

The new DJI Matrice 4 Series is here, and it offers a significant upgrade to the Mavic 3 Enterprise platform released in September 2022. There are two new models in the range, The Matrice 4E (for surveying mapping and digital twin creation) and the Matrice 4T (for inspections, search and rescue, security and pest control).

Product highlights:

> DJI Matrice 4E delivers up to 40% increased mapping efficiency vs Mavic 3E

> Increased 0.5 second interval shooting vs 0.7 seconds on Mavic 3E

> Maximum flight speed 21m/s v 15m/s on Mavic 3E

> DJI Matrice 4T has six sensors including Near-Infrared (NIR) light, improving visibility in pitch-black environments without requiring additional spotlights

> Enhanced drone and RC onboard processing ensures seamless performance and increased workflow efficiencies

> Enhanced vision positioning and obstacle avoidance, including maintaining aircraft stability in GPS denied environments

> New DJI RC Plus 2 controller with a 7” 1400 nits LCD touch screen equipped with O4 Enterprise transmission (CE: 12km)

> Both models have laser range finders allowing real-time coordinates of a location up to 1.8km away, as well as measurements of distances and areas

> The built-in RTK functionality now enables compatibility with all new speaker and spotlight accessories.

 

We have demo units in both our Auckland and Christchurch show rooms, come in to see the new models and learn more from our expert team. We are expecting our first stock to arrive later this month.

These two new drones will enhance your current drone operations by improving workflows and efficiency. One of the biggest upgrades is the onboard processing on the controller and drone. This allows you to do more on the controller, including quick 3D model creation allowing you to create flight plans for high-resolution digital twin capture.

The Matrice 4 series introduces "Intelligent Operations with AI," capable of detecting vehicles, vessels, and people, while also learning to identify additional subjects through the object model training. This feature can count objects in an image, making it ideal for emergency services, animal protection, pest control, and facility inspections. 

In addition, the Matrice 4 series has increased mapping efficiencies. When the Mavic 3 Enterprise was released the efficiencies compared to the Phantom 4 RTK were mindblowing, moving from a 2 to 0.7 second interval shooting speed, allowing for faster flying and shooting. Now with the Matrice 4 we are seeing up to 40% efficiency improvements in mapping vs the M3E, with 0.5 second interval shooting and new capture modes.

The one feature it does not have compared to the Matrice 30 and Matrice 350 series is the IP rating for operations in the rain. Without this feature, the Matrice 30 will still have its place in the market. The Mavic 3 Series will also continue at a entry level price point for surveing and inspections.

Below is a summary of key upgrades.

 

DJI Matrice 4T for Inspections, Security Public Safety & Pest Control

Equipped with enhanced thermal capabilities and AI-powered tracking for vehicles, people, and boats, the Matrice 4T is ideal for emergency response and low-light operations.

 

Triple Camera System on Matrice 4T:

> Wide Camera: Larger 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with 48 MP resolution and an f/1.7 aperture for superior low-light performance

> Medium Tele Camera: New 3x zoom with a 1/1.3-inch sensor for clearer imaging without relying on digital zoom

> Tele Camera: 7x zoom with a 1/1.5-inch 48 MP CMOS sensor, offering enhanced clarity for distant objects

Zoom Features:

> Smooth transition between 1x, 3x, and 7x zoom

> Enables detailed asset inspections, such as reading small part numbers or license plates from up to 200+ metres away

> Upgraded telephoto stabilization makes foreground subjects stable and clear during telephoto shooting at 10x zoom or higher

> Tele camera captures details from signs up to 250 meters away with improved clarity (up to 112x Hybrid Zoom)

 

Additional Enhancements:

> Laser Range Finder: Helps maintain focus on targets during windy conditions or at high zoom levels

> Near-Infrared (NIR) Illuminator: Improves visibility in pitch-black environments without requiring additional spotlights

> Electronic Dehazing: Clears foggy visuals for better imaging in challenging weather

> Smart Capture Modes: Optimizes auto exposure and noise reduction for low-light conditions

 

Night Scene Mode:

> Allows customisation of noise reduction and frame rates for better visibility in darkness

> Delivers vibrant, full-colour night images when paired with IR cut filters and NIR illumination

 

Enhanced Thermal Capabilities:

> Improved temperature accuracy with an ambient temperature sensor

> Adjustable settings for emissivity, distance, and humidity for more precise thermal readings

 

These upgrades provide unmatched imaging performance, improving the efficiency of operations like inspections, search and rescue, pest control, security and public safety tasks.

 

Thermal Comparison taken at Ferntech HQ

Below are comparison shots we have taken comparing the four thermal options we supply – Zenmuse H30T,  Matrice 30T, Matrice 4T and Mavic 3 Thermal.

 

DJI Zenmuse H30T

 

DJI Matrice 30T

 

DJI Matrice 4T

 

DJI Mavic 3T

As you can see the H30T is still the superior sensor with its 52mm focal length and high-res thermal imager, however the Matrice 4T with its 53mm focal length still delivers impressive results in its compact form size.

 

DJI Matrice 4E for Surveying & Mapping

The DJI Matrice 4E was built for geospatial and digital twin professionals, offering faster flight speeds, improved mapping speed, and new tools for creating high-quality digital twins.

 

Camera Improvements on DJI Matrice 4E

> Wide-Angle Camera: Improvements include a faster 0.5-second shooting interval (down from 0.7 seconds), allowing quicker data capture

> Distortion Correction: The M4E sensor includes onboard distortion correction, eliminating the need for post-processing and ensuring consistent data quality

> 3-Axis Gimbal Control: Enables advanced mapping techniques like three-directional ortho and five-directional oblique captures, enhancing efficiency and coverage for urban and rural areas

 

 

Flight Planning

> Three-Directional Ortho Capture: Optimised for flat terrains, this reduces lateral overlap and increases mapping efficiency, potentially cutting mission times in half

> Five-Directional Oblique Capture: Designed for urban areas and high-quality 3D reconstructions. Supports simultaneous multi-axis data capture

> Smart 3D Capture:Construct quick 3D models during flights enabling detailed flight planning on the RC for subsequent missions with sub-millimetre precision

 

Efficiency Improvements

> Faster capture speeds (13.2–15 m/s)

> Streamlined processing through DJI Terra, with automatic distortion correction

 

Faster, Safer, and Smarter Operations

> 15-second fast takeoff with quick GNSS positioning

> Flight speeds of up to 75 km/h and improved trigger speeds for efficient mapping

> Built-in RTK module and terrain data preloading for accurate and safe flights, even in GNSS denied environments

 

Enhanced Transmission and Visibility

> New DJI RC Plus 2 controller with a 7” 1400 nits LCD touch screen equipped

> New OcuSync 4 Enterprise transmission with 12 km CE range and low latency

> Upgraded backlit buttons and advanced video streaming capabilities

 

Unmatched Flight Time and Safety Features

> 49-minute flight duration and improved anti-interference capabilities

> Fusion positioning and fisheye cameras for reliable obstacle avoidance and low-light navigation

 

Next-Level AI & Onboard Processing

> Improved AI enables smarter object detection and tracking

> Enhanced onboard processing ensures seamless performance in various scenarios

 

This is just a summary of the new features and workflows you can achieve with the DJI Matrice 4 series. It looks like it will be a revolutionary addition to the DJI Enterprise line-up, packing numerous features into a sleek and compact design. Contact our team today to discuss how this platform can enhance your operations.

 

View the product range here