DJI returns to the FPV drone segment (for first person view) with the Aavata. The Chinese manufacturer wants to offer an even more engaging flight experience and also focuses on a new Goggles 2 “eyewear”.
The clues have been piling up for weeks, DJI finally waited until the end of August to get the Avata drone. As a successor to the DJI FPV launched last year, the DJI Avata continues to position itself on the FPV Drone Segment (first person view) dear to the Chinese manufacturer. With this type of device the experience is more immersive thanks to the presence of a camera that acts as an eye and a helmet to get closer to an experience in the cockpit.
The Avata drone is not positioned as a successor to the current FPV. Compact (180 x 180 x 80 mm open) is a lot lighter than its older one (410g vs 795g for the FPV) and is easier to access. “The DJI Avata is designed to ignite the desire to fly in everyone, with immersive flight technology that allows everyone to explore the close-to-the-body experience of FPV flight.”explains Ferdinand Wolf, DJI’s creative director.
A drone for everyone
DJI insists on its desire to offer an affordable solution to everyone. The Avata is intended for both beginners and professionals and focuses primarily on speed and agility. To increase safety, the brand includes propeller guards that make the hull more durable and reduce the risk of risk. DJI adds that the device can withstand minor impacts as well “also recovers after a rollover thanks to Turtle mode”.
The DJI Avata is equipped with: three flight modes: which will be used depending on the skill level of the pilot. Here are the three modes offered by the company:
- Normal mode (N) : In N mode, the DJI Avata works the same way as other DJI drones; hovering using satellite navigation and / or vision positioning (VPS) systems on the bottom of the drone. It offers a maximum speed of 8 m / s (vertical speed of 6 m / s).
- Manual mode (M) (Only with DJI FPV V2 remote control): M-mode flight offers full and unlimited control for an immersive experience. Experienced users can adjust the settings. Provides a maximum speed of 27m / s.
- Sport Mode (S) : By combining M and N modes, this hybrid mode gives S mode some of the dynamic motion capabilities of M mode with some of the key safety features of N mode. S mode is the balance between the three modes and has been developed to give pilots more freedom to explore their talents while learning FPV flying. A speed of 14 m / s is announced (maximum ascent speed: 6 m / s).
Racing drone or flying camera? Avata chooses both
wears a stabilized camera topped with a 1 / 1.7-inch CMOS sensor 48 megapixels (focal length equivalent to 12.6 mm); with an aperture of f / 2.8 and an ultra-wide angle lens (up to 155 °). Its presence makes it a kind of mini camera that it can shoots up to 4K at 60 frames per second. The drone also offers 2.7K images up to 120 fps. Coupled with its compact size, the Avata aims to cut for the local flights.
As for autonomy, the manufacturer promises a duration of flight up to 18 minutes.
The content captured by the drone is sent to the 20 GB of internal memory. The Avanta can also handle microSD cards up to 256GB.
2 glasses and motion controller
However, the Avata is only part of the equation and the fact that it is flown underwater implies the presence of “goggles”. DJI pairs its new drone with Glasses 2, a video headset that should also be lightweight (290g with headband) and compact (up to 196.69 x 103.90 x 104.61mm). It also seems “More comfortable” and can deliver FPV photo “crystalline” comparable to that of the other models of the brand. Google 2 uses a Micro-OLED display with adjustable diopters ; allow eyeglass wearers to put them aside when wearing helmets.
The Avata drone and its headphones communicate via DJI’s 03+ broadcast. This technology should be a detailed video in 1080p at 100 fps with H.265 decoding As for the transmission delay, it is about 30 milliseconds. The theoretical range is 10 k / m and we are entitled to a maximum speed of 50 Mbit / s. The “glasses” add a wireless streaming function to watch live streaming from a smartphone or computer.
DJI also offers a motion controller which gives the possibility to perform more complex maneuvers. Finally the drone can control from the Fly app including tutorials.
Price and availability
The DJI Avata is available for pre-order today on store.dji.com and at major retailers. The standalone version of the drone is displayed 579 euross without remote control, motion controller or helmet. The formula is intended for those who already have a compatible model for controlling and viewing from the drone.
A DJI Avatar Pro-View Pack it is sold at the price € 1,429 ; including the drone, DJI Goggles 2 and Motion Controller. finally, the DJI Avatar Fly Smart Pack appears at the price of € 1,149 and includes Avata, DJI FPV V2 Headset and Motion Controller. it is also possible Avata Fly More Kitwith two intelligent flight batteries and a charging station, for 249 euros.