DJI Avata 360 Debuts as DJI Files Lawsuit Against Insta360; BRINC Introduces Guardian Drone and Micro-Drones Investigate Fukushima Reactor
Weekly UAS News Update
In this week’s UAS news update, we cover four significant stories: the launch of the Avata 360 drone, a patent lawsuit filed by DJI against Insta360, the unveiling of BRINC’s Guardian drone with Starlink integration, and the deployment of micro-drones to explore the Fukushima nuclear reactor.
DJI Avata 360 Launches
The Avata 360 has officially launched, featuring 8K 360 imaging, a 1-inch equivalent sensor, and the capability to record 8K video at 60 frames per second in HDR. Users can also operate the drone in a single lens mode, capturing 4K video at 60 frames per second.
Key features of the Avata 360 include:
- Obstacle avoidance in 360 mode
- 23 minutes of flight time
- Integrated prop guards
- 42 GB of internal storage
- Replaceable front lenses
The drone is compatible with the Goggle 3 and Goggle N3 when using the Motion 3 controller, as well as the FPV controller. Other compatible controllers include the RC2, RCN2, and RCN3, although the RC Pro 2 is currently not supported.
DJI Files Patent Lawsuit Against Insta360
DJI has initiated a patent ownership lawsuit against Insta360’s parent company in China, targeting six patents related to core drone technologies, including flight control systems and image processing. The lawsuit was filed just three days before the launch of the Avata 360, which competes with Insta360’s products.
DJI claims that the patents in question are service inventions created by former DJI engineers who joined Insta360. In response, Insta360’s founder has argued that the main flight control patent cited is a feature not present in their products. He also noted that Insta360 holds 28 patents that DJI allegedly infringes upon but has chosen not to pursue litigation, focusing instead on innovation.
This lawsuit marks DJI’s first domestic patent case in China, highlighting the intense competition within the drone industry.
BRINC Introduces the Guardian Drone with Starlink Integration
BRINC has unveiled the Guardian, a next-generation drone designed for use in emergency response scenarios. The company also announced a new manufacturing facility in Seattle to enhance production capabilities.
The Guardian is noted as the first drone connected to Starlink for 911 responses, allowing for a reliable data link even in areas with poor cellular coverage. Key specifications include:
- Operational range of 8 miles
- Flight time of 62 minutes
- IP55 weather resistance
- 4K video capability with 640x total zoom
- Dual HD thermal zoom cameras
Additionally, BRINC introduced the Guardian Station, a robotic charging station that automatically swaps batteries and reloads payloads without human intervention, significantly reducing downtime between flights.
Micro-Drones Explore Fukushima Reactor
In a notable application of drone technology, micro-drones have been deployed to the Fukushima nuclear reactor, reaching the bottom of the Unit 3 reactor pressure vessel 15 years after the disaster. These drones, measuring approximately 5.1 x 4.7 x 1.6 inches and weighing 3.3 ounces, are equipped with a 2.7K camera, LED lights, and a radiation sensor.
During a 13-minute flight, the drones successfully mapped the pedestal floor and captured images of melted fuel debris. A custom seal-box system was utilized to deploy and recover the drones without compromising containment, showcasing a significant engineering achievement in a highly hazardous environment.
This development underscores the potential of drone technology in addressing complex challenges in dangerous settings.
This article is based on a video by Pilot Institute on YouTube. Greg Reverdiau is a regular contributor to DroneXL.