Global drone giant DJI announced on Wednesday the launch of the DJI FlyCart 30, its first global delivery aircraft. If the device aims to solve the challenges of traditional transportation, its deployment will not be easy.
The DJI FlyCart 30 (FC30) stands out as the first delivery drone with planetary targeting, made official by the Chinese brand on January 10, 2024. All with the promise of efficient and flexible solutions for sectors such as agriculture, construction, and emergency relief. Featuring a four-axis coaxial configuration, the FC30 can carry up to 40kg payload, which is not insignificant. Its exceptional weather and safety characteristics make it a potentially ideal solution in extreme environments, although we will have to wait to see it fly in France.
Up to 40 kg payload, and up to 16 kilometers of transport with a dual battery setup for the DJI delivery drone
DJI is sending a message to the world: the drone that delivers packages is coming soon. First of all, we know that it is the professionals who will benefit first and foremost. Regardless, with the FC30, DJI wants to offer a reliable solution for aerial delivery, overcoming obstacles related to terrain and terminal transportation.
With its four-axis coaxial configuration and carbon fiber propellers, the DJI Delivery can reach a flight speed of 20 meters per second. It also has a dual configuration: with a single battery, it can carry up to 40 kg of payload, over a distance of 8 km. In its dual battery configuration, it is capable of carrying 30 kg of payload, over 16 kilometers. In theory (let’s emphasize this), the drone and the remote controls can communicate with each other up to 20 km.
The FC30 also promises to excel in extreme weather conditions, with IP55 protection that allows it to fly in temperatures ranging from -20 to -45°C. We obviously ask to see, drones being generally very sensitive to extreme temperatures.
A cargo mode and a winch mode
On the safety side, the DJI FlyCart 30 evaluates its route according to the weather, before taking off. If the flight conditions are not optimal, he may delay his departure on his own. During flight, intelligent obstacle detection systems guarantee, as DJI is accustomed to, safe navigation, both day and night.
The drone can be used in cargo mode, by placing payloads in a suitcase equipped with sensors to improve the balance of the aircraft, or in winch mode, which allows goods to be transported to areas without transport sites. practical landing. We might as well say it straight away: the DJI FlyCart 30 is designed to handle, no pun intended, various delivery scenarios.
To support the beast, DJI is launching a comprehensive software suite, called “DJI Delivery Hub”, which offers operational planning, team resource management and live viewing, via the drone’s FPV camera. The DJI Pilot 2 application allows secure manual flight, with the display of flight status and cargo in real time.
Your Amazon package delivered by drone, it’s not for now
Regarding its use, it is today difficult, if not impossible, to imagine Amazon delivering to you tomorrow with a drone, even if the American behemoth has already launched experiments. You probably know this, but the regulations are particularly strict, and flights in built-up areas or populated areas are often restricted or prohibited, and subject to authorization for professionals.
On the other hand, we can imagine, with the evolution of European regulations, the appearance, in a few years, of specific air corridors dedicated to delivery drones, but here too, the use is likely to initially be professional: medicines, urgent goods and others. We will therefore have to observe this revolution from a distance for a while longer.
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