SHENZHEN Dajiang Innovation Technology Co., better known as DJI, has muscled into the delivery and logistics market with the launch of a new drone model last week.

Called the FlyCart 30, DJI’s pioneering carrier drone was launched Aug. 16 and is regarded as an important step in the realm of the drone-based delivery sector.

DJI’s new delivery drone features an intelligent obstacle avoidance system, dual radar and a built-in parachute system for controlled descent in case of severe malfunctions.

It adopts a 4-axis, 8-propeller multirotor configuration with a maximum payload capacity of 30 kilograms in dual battery mode and a maximum range of 16 kilometers with a full load.

The drone is capable of operating in all weather conditions, with IP55 weather protection (which means the drone is protected from limited dust ingress and low pressure water jets from any direction) and 12 meters per second maximum wind speed resistance. The aircraft can achieve a maximum flight speed of 20 meters per second and stay airborne for up to 18 minutes with two self-heating batteries and a 30-kilogram payload.

The drone is equipped with DJI’s O3 video transmission system, which provides a strong signal up to 20 kilometers away and facilitates operations beyond the operator’s visual line of sight.

Meanwhile, to meet the transport needs in various altitudes, especially at hard-to-reach mountainous regions, the drone’s maximum flight altitude has been set to 6,000 meters.

“In recent years, DJI’s industrial drones have been widely used in agriculture, energy, mapping, security and many other fields, becoming an indispensable tool for productivity,” Shenzhen Economic Daily quoted Zhang Xiaonan, DJI’s senior director of corporate strategy and spokesperson, as saying.

“We see great prospects for the development of aerial cargo transportation, and we hope to bring more efficient, economical and safe aerial transportation tools to the industry, effectively solving complex terrain and last-mile delivery challenges.”

Founded in 2006, DJI, the world’s largest commercial drone manufacturer by market share, accounts for almost 70% of the consumer drone market worldwide, with Europe and North America as its biggest customers.

Currently, drones are used for a wide range of sectors, such as aerial photography, agriculture, geological surveys and mapping, electricity, oil and petroleum pipeline inspections, transportation, construction, public security and even disaster relief.

In recent years, China has made remarkable progress in research and development in the civilian drone sector, which has resulted in the industry’s rapid growth.

According to official statistics, China has taken up 81.5% of the global market share in civilian drones, making the country a major manufacturing hub for civilian drones worldwide. (Yang Yunfei)