Cao Zhen

    caozhen0806@126.com

    DRONES are flying into OCT Harbor.

    DJI, a Shenzhen-based global leader in unmanned aerial vehicle technology, opened its first store Sunday at OCT Harbor in Nanshan District to supply the growing drone market.

    The 800-square-meter store features a full range of DJI’s consumer products and aims to let consumers see, touch and learn firsthand about the company’s innovative and creative designs.

    “Experiencing drones is an important service for our potential consumers,” said Oliver Wang, PR director of DJI, at the opening. “In the past, consumers bought our drones online or at local dealers’ stores, but this flagship store, DJI’s first brick-and-mortar retail outlet in the world, will allow consumers to experience our cutting-edge technology in a deeper and more meaningful way.”

    On display and for sale are DJI’s Phantom 3 series, the Inspire 1 and Spreading Wings series, Matrice 100, Guidance, the Ronin handheld three-axis camera gimbal line, as well as the company’s latest integrated stabilized 4K handheld camera, the Osmo. Aside from sales, consumers can also repair their drones at the store and sign up for training classes. There’s also a theater where shoppers can expect an immersive visual experience. At the flight area, DJI pilots will perform demos.

    With annual sales of 6 billion yuan (US$926 million) and occupying 70 percent of the global commercial drone market, DJI raised US$75 million from U.S. venture capital firm Accel Partners in May and the deal values DJI at around US$8 billion. Accel Partners is best known for its early investment in Facebook and the company has stakes in other start-ups such as Dropbox and Slack.

    The valuation for DJI reflects its rapid growth in drones for the civilian market. Over the last few weeks, it has become increasingly clear that DJI also has its sights set on conquering the market for specialized drones that can perform serious industrial applications.

    On Nov. 27, DJI rolled out an agricultural drone that is customized for spraying crops. Early this month, it announced a partnership with U.S. thermal-imaging firm Flir Systems to create a new camera, the Zenmuse XT, to bring thermal imaging to its Inspire One and Matrice drones. The camera is expected to debut in the first quarter of 2016. It helps firefighters locate the source of a blaze inside a house and can be used for search-and-rescue operations, even in total darkness.

    “People use drones for a wide range of aerial photography needs, from weddings to travels. There’s definitely a lot more uses than simply flying around your home and DJI is exploring opportunities in the industrial sector,” said Wang.