Recently we introduced you to DJI enterprise and how the biggest name in drones is creating platforms for businesses and governments to solve all manner of problems – or take advantage of opportunities – that only drones can address.

Our introduction focused on the entry level side of things, but today we look at the middle and high end in the form of the DJI Matrice 30 Series, also called the M30 Series.

The M30 Series offers the ability to fly with more thanks to a max takeoff weight of almost four kilograms (3 998 grams) that can be customised with a payload to do just about anything, including thermal imaging.

It helps to think of your DJI Matric 30 as a flying bakkie, a tool for your unique business or governmental needs rather than an ordinary drone. The payload weight and flexibility, combined with the advanced flight mechanics we have come to expect from DJI (see the trailer below for more), means that drones aren’t just these fragile flying machines anymore, but true workhorses for important everyday jobs.

DJI Matrice 30 drones are also made to pair with the innovative DJI Dock. This dock offers a way for drones to work 24/7, allowing them to land, recharge and keep on going, even through adverse weather conditions including rain and extreme temperatures.

The DJI Dock was originally envisioned for remote work where important jobs need doing in places that are hours from society. In South Africa, however, the DJI Dock is seen in a different light as it gives your drones charge when there’s loadshedding, acting as the perfect way to power through the unique challenges we have to face in this country.

Some other features of the DJI Dock- such as the 40kA surge protection – give buyers extra peace of mind here in South Africa where there’s the constant fear of expensive electronics being destroyed by unstable power. Again DJI has created this project for harsh environmental conditions in other countries, but now it fits perfectly into the unique space of working in South Africa.

Around the world DJI drones are already being used in all manner of applications, especially ones that are of particular note to South Africa, such as security and law enforcement.

In China, for example, Matrice drones are used with a payload of a thermal camera and megaphone to help patrol and guard maritime areas. This solution is quite ingenious and shows off all the functionality that the drone can offer, by flying the drone to the ship using DJI’s PinPoint function, speaking to the sailors with the megaphone and capturing their identities using the regular camera to check against records, ensuring that they are the right people. A simple check like this, without a drone, would require hours of docking so that Chinese authorities could manually check the ships, and thermal imagery allows for surveillance that simply can’t be done with the naked eye.

In another example, this time from Brazil, suspected criminals were apprehended thanks to the use of a DJI drone where other options would have been too risky for police and not extensive enough to catch the suspects. With such a strong showing DJI recommends an upgrade to the more versatile Matrice 30 platform to further aid these endeavours.

With Brazil suffering from high crime rates just like South Africa, these success stories are heartening that similar wins can be had locally, especially with the improved Matrice platform compared to the older ones that already worked so well overseas.

For those in South Africa, in both business and governmental applications, DJI enterprise drones are available right through various qualified partners who can connect you with the right drone solution. Contact them with the details below:

• Hennie’s Drone Repair and Training orders[at]hdrt[dot]co[dot]za
• TeleEye jacques[at]GoUAV[dot]co[dot]za
• Africa Drone Kings vice[at]africadronekings[dot]co[dot]za