Dronemaker DJI has launched a new compact drone aimed at professional users. It concerns the Matrice 30, which is best described as a cross between the DJI M300 RTK and the Mavic 2 Enterprise. The M30 can be folded into a relatively small package. The gimbal provides a wide-angle camera, a zoom camera, laser rangefinder, and in the case of the M30T, a thermal imager. Optionally, a docking station is available.

Compact (er) system

With the M30 and M30T, DJI focuses on the growing group of users who use drones for industrial inspections or search&rescue missions, often in challenging weather conditions. The new drone is a lot smaller and lighter than the popular M300 RTK, but offers similar capabilities and camera performance.

The M30’s arms are collapsible. As a result, the drone can be folded into a relatively small package. The system weighs 3.7 kg. Thanks to the IP55 rating, the drone can be used even in the event of a heavy rain shower. The system can be flown at wind speeds of up to 15 m/s. Sensors around provide obstacle detection in all directions. Various accessories can be mounted on the top of the drone.

Gimbal

Despite its small dimensions, the camera module offers similar performance to the Zenmuse H20 (T). That is, a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 28 megapixel zoom camera with 16x optical zoom and up to 200x digital zoom, a laser rangefinder with a range of 3-1200 meters and, in the case of the M30T, and 640×512 pixels radiometric thermal imager.

The images are transferred using the new Ocusync 3 Enterprise protocol. In a number of countries, there will be an opportunity to use LTE for communication with the drone. For the benefit of the pilot, the drone is equipped with a light-sensitive FPV camera.

The drone is powered by two TB30 batteries, which ensure a maximum of 41 minutes of flight time. For use in cold conditions, the batteries are equipped with a built-in heating element. The included BS30 intelligent charging station can charge the batteries up to 90% of their capacity within 30 minutes.

Controller

The drone is controlled with DJI’s new RC Plus Controller. It has a large 7” display. The range is a maximum of 15 km. The controller is rainproof. The software has also been renewed: the new DJI Pilot 2 app is installed on the controller. The app starts with a preflight check. The main screen has been further optimized to distract the pilot as little as possible.

By means of the new DJI FlightHub 2 flight management system, it is possible to have several people work together during a drone flight. From a distance it is possible to watch during live missions. It is also possible to take notes that are then visible to everyone involved, or to point out topics on the ground and share the GPS location of them.

DJI Dock

Completely new is the optional DJI Dock. This is an automated docking station, from which the drone can automatically carry out BVLOS missions, such as routine inspections or surveillance flights. The drone box weighs 90 kg and does not take up a square meter. The system is equipped with antennas, a weather station, a security camera and a D-RTK base station.

Thanks to the built-in fast charging system, the drone can be used again for a new flight within 25 minutes after landing. In the event of a power failure, the drone box is further equipped with an emergency battery, so that the drone can always land safely. Please note; the DJI Dock can only be used in combination with the M30 (T) Dock version.

Price and availability

The new DJI M30 and M30T are directly available from DJI Enterprise dealers. The M30 costs €9,299, including 2x TB30 battery, BS30 intelligent charging station, DJI RC Plus, an annual subscription to FlightHub 2 and a year DJI Care Enterprise Basic. The M30T costs €12,999, including the same accessories.

The DJI Dock will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2022. The DJI Dock is only compatible with the M30’s dedicated dock version.