DJI has unveiled thermal FLIR cameras for its popular Inspire 1 drone and the Matrice M100. The Zenmuse XT cameras and gimbals will be welcomed by hundreds of commercial drone operators who've been looking for lightweight thermal imaging for their sub 7kg rigs. The XT is the result of DJI's collaboration with FLIR Systems, who are at the forefront of thermal technology. DJI say the XT will be the world's most powerful aerial thermal imaging camera and it'll be available in the first few months of 2016 (Q1).
There will be two models, each with a choice of four lenses. The exciting thing is that the XT will be interchangeable with DJI's other Zenmuse video and stills cameras on the Inspire and Matrice - the X3, X5 and X5R - via the latest gimbal mount.
Up until now thermal sensors have only been available on bigger or more expensive, specialist air-frames, but now thermal drones and radiometric sensors are becoming more widely available.
Thermal images from the DJI Zenmuse XT camera With so may Inspires being used for commercial work, the addition of a thermal sensor will represent a major breakthrough for operators. It can be used for power line inspection, search and rescue operations, solar panel inspections, precision agriculture, fire fighting, heat loss investigations and the list goes on. “Almost every week we see new applications of our aerial technology,” said DJI Founder and CEO Frank Wang. “Adding thermal imaging as an additional sensor options for aerial platforms will open up new and innovative uses for our users, whether it’s gaining strategic insight into how their crops are growing or more efficiently understanding the spread of fires." Andy Teich, President and CEO of FLIR said “By creating a strategic collaboration that combines DJI’s world-leading drone technology and FLIR’s heritage in thermal imagers, we’re accelerating our growth potential in the commercial drone market. It’s truly a better together opportunity, and we’re excited to help celebrate the launch of the Zenmuse XT today, the first of many products to come under the collaboration.” The Matrice and Inspire with XT FLIR cameras
Integrated Thermal Camera
The camera on the DJI Zenmuse XT is developed by FLIR. It provides high-sensitivity (50mK) infrared scanning at 640/30 fps or 336/60 fps depending on the camera model. This sensitivity provides accurate temperature measurements ideal for analytics and telemetry. Both cameras are available with four lens options to meet different business needs. Stabilized and controlled by a custom DJI gimbal, it provides smooth, clear imagery and 360 degrees of seamless rotational movement.
Thermal Imager
Uncooled VOx Microbolometer
FPA/Digital Video Display Formats
640 × 512
336 × 256
Pixel Pitch
17 μm
Full Frame Rates
30 Hz (NTSC) 25 Hz (PAL)
30/60 Hz (NTSC) 25/50 Hz (PAL)
Exportable Frame Rates
<9Hz *
Sensitivity (NEdT)
<50 mK at f/1.0
Photo Formats
JPEG (8 bit) / TIFF (14 bit)
Video Format
MP4
Digital Zoom
2x, 4x, 8x
2x, 4x
Lens Options
7.5mm, 9mm, 13mm, 19mm
6.8mm, 9mm, 13mm, 19mm
Image Enhancement Software
Infra-red imagery requires optimization to ensure maximum definition for capturing information. The Zenmuse XT features a suite of image enhancements designed by FLIR including Digital Detail Enhancement™ (DDE); Smart Scene Optimization™ (SSO), which enhances extremes in bi-modal scenes; Active Contrast Enhancement™ (ACE) that adjusts scene contrast relative to its temperature difference; and Information Based HEQ™ (IBHEQ) which compresses complex image data to create the best quality image.
Fingertip Control
The Zenmuse XT can be controlled completely through the DJI GO app, providing a real-time, low latency view of what the camera sees, and instant access to core camera functions including:
Spot metering, temperature measurement at the mid-point
Digital zoom
Single or interval shooting modes
Photo, video preview and download
Take photos while recording video
Various camera settings and parameters including:
-Palette, also referred to as Look-up Table (LUT)
-Scene, also referred to as Automatic Gain Correction (AGC)
-Region of Interest (ROI)
-Isotherm mode
Seamless efficiency
When used with either the Inspire 1 or the Matrice 100, the Zenmuse XT can be put into the air in seconds. It is seamlessly integrated, giving it complete access to key features including the powerful Lightbridge video transmission system (providing up to 3.1 miles (5KM*) of HD range), automated Point of Interest, Course and Home Lock, Follow Me, and the DJI SDK. When combined with the Inspire 1, the Zenmuse XT works with incredible speed, efficiency and convenience. If used with the Matrice 100, the Zenmuse XT can stay in-flight for up to 35 minutes, ideal for large scale inspections and especially useful in search and rescue scenarios.
6.8 mm: 1.2 m; 7.5 mm: 1.2 m; 9 mm: 2.1 m; 13 mm: 4.4 m; 19 mm: 9.5 m
Hyperfocal Depth of Field
6.8 mm: 0.6 m; 7.5 mm: 0.6 m; 9 mm: 1.1 m; 13 mm: 2.2 m; 19 mm: 4.8 m
Gimbal
Angular Vibration Range
±0.03°
Mount
Detachable
Controllable Range
Tilt：-35° to +135°; Pan：±320°; Roll：±30°
Mechanical Range
Tilt：-45° to +135° Pan：±320° Roll：±45°
Max Controllable Speed
120°/s
Image Processing & Display Controls
NTSC/PAL (field switchable)
yes
Image Optimization
yes
Digital Detail Enhancement
yes
Polarity Control (black hot/white hot)
yes
Color & Monochrome Palettes (LUTs)
yes
Digital Zoom
640 × 512：
2x, 4x, 8x
336 × 256：
2x, 4x
Environmental
Operating Temperature Range
14° to 104°F (-10° to 40 ℃)
Non-Operating Temperature Range
-22° to 158°F (-30° to 70 ℃)
Temperature Shock
41°F/ min (5 ℃/min)
Humidity
5% to 95%
Heliguy's FPV solution
One thing that DJI haven't addressed yet is the Inspire's lack of an FPV camera but heliguy™ solved this problem shortly after the original Inspire was launched. It's going to be even more important now for the pilot to have a standard electro-optical camera to fly by if the main one has a thermal imager. heliguy™ can fit a new nosecone, FPV camera, transmitter, battery and monitor. The whole setup is self-contained and doesn't interfere with the electronics of the Inspire or Matrice. We think it's vital for safe operation even with one of the standard cameras. An FPV camera fitted to the DJI Inspire 1
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*Product must not be activated.
Instant replacement of DOA (Dead On Arrival) products, including fault diagnosis over the phone with one of our 4 technicians, free returns and replacements of faulty items.
Warranty repairs and replacements at no extra cost including access to repairs infrastructure in the UK from a DJI Approved Repair Centre.
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End of Line - the product and accessories are no longer being produced, new parts will not be available and it will not be supported by future updates.
End of Production – the product has been discontinued and no more will be produced.
End of Availability - sales of this product by DJI are discontinued, but you might still find stock with an enterprise dealer like heliguy™.
End of Development - DJI will not provide software updates unless there is a security issue that needs to be fixed
End of Service - DJI will not provide maintenance or technical support for this product, but you might still find parts and repair services from a DJI repair centre like heliguy™
The XT is the result of DJI's collaboration with FLIR Systems, who are at the forefront of thermal technology. DJI say the XT will be the world's most powerful aerial thermal imaging camera and it'll be available in the first few months of 2016 (Q1).
Thermal images from the DJI Zenmuse XT camera With so may Inspires being used for commercial work, the addition of a thermal sensor will represent a major breakthrough for operators. It can be used for power line inspection, search and rescue operations, solar panel inspections, precision agriculture, fire fighting, heat loss investigations and the list goes on. “Almost every week we see new applications of our aerial technology,” said DJI Founder and CEO Frank Wang. “Adding thermal imaging as an additional sensor options for aerial platforms will open up new and innovative uses for our users, whether it’s gaining strategic insight into how their crops are growing or more efficiently understanding the spread of fires." Andy Teich, President and CEO of FLIR said “By creating a strategic collaboration that combines DJI’s world-leading drone technology and FLIR’s heritage in thermal imagers, we’re accelerating our growth potential in the commercial drone market. It’s truly a better together opportunity, and we’re excited to help celebrate the launch of the Zenmuse XT today, the first of many products to come under the collaboration.” 
The Matrice and Inspire with XT FLIR cameras
An FPV camera fitted to the DJI Inspire 1
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