DJI has dominated the global consumer drone market for years with its iconic Phantom, Inspire, and particularly popular Mavic lines, which are known for their folding designs and innovative camera technology.
Now, a leaked image is sparking intense speculation that the next iteration – the DJI Mavic 4 – will take flight sometime in the near future.
The Blurry Image Spurring Excitement
The grainy image in question shows a previously unseen drone model bearing DJI‘s signature gray and white color scheme.
While few concrete details can be gleaned from the low-resolution leak, we can make out two long tubes protruding from the rear that could house extra batteries or serve another aerodynamic purpose.
The blurry leaked image hinting at the upcoming DJI Mavic 4 drone
Most notably, the drone features an entirely new camera and sensor array not found on any past consumer DJI model. This likely points to significantly upgraded photo and video capabilities compared to the aging Mavic 2 series.
The leak also shows LED status lights and front, rear, and side-facing sensors that enable robust obstacle avoidance and navigation suited for professional use.
According to early analysis from reputable sources, the leaked device could be a high-end enterprise iteration more in line with DJI‘s Matrice series drones. If so, we can expect a premium price tag catering more to commercial buyers than mainstream consumers when it eventually launches.
What Features Can We Expect?
Though mere speculation at this point, the most likely upgrades for a Mavic 4 Enterprise model would include:
- New Hasselblad or DJI camera with a 1-inch or larger image sensor for drastically improved image quality, especially in low light environments
- Longer max flight time from more efficient motors and propellers if not completely new battery technology
- Omnidirectional obstacle sensing for smoother, safer flight in cluttered environments
- Upgraded onboard computing power to support complex autonomous navigation in indoor spaces without GPS
- Potential integration of lidar or other sensors for centimeter-level navigation accuracy
- Robust data connectivity options for seamless communication and coordination with other drones or command centers
In essence, the Mavic 4 Enterprise could share much of the Matrice 30 and Matrice 30T drones‘ tactical flight capabilities while retaining a portable form factor.
That would make this drone the ideal aerial imaging solution for public service agencies, industrial inspection teams, construction companies, agriculturists, and many other commercial operators.
Let‘s explore some of those potential features and capabilities more in depth:
Foldable Design
We can expect DJI to carry over the signature foldable design that made the Mavic series so beloved among aerial cinematographers and other flyers.
By collapsing the arms inward, DJI managed to make the Mavic drones much more compact than earlier quadcopters. This let them fit into small backpacks or even jacket pockets.
Retaining that portable, packable build while upgrading other components would give the Mavic 4 a unique combination of robust features and convenience unmatched by competitive drones.
New Camera System
Given the completely new visual sensor array visible in the leak, DJI will almost certainly equip the Mavic 4 with greatly improved camera capabilities over previous generations.
Rumors indicate it could integrate a 1-inch CMOS sensor with up to 20 megapixels resolution and support for multiple lenses like the Mavic 2 Enterprise dual zoom model.
DJI could source this new camera system from Swedish manufacturer Hasselblad, whose sensors and lenses have featured in past Mavic drones through a close partnership between the two companies.
A larger imaging sensor would drastically boost image quality, especially in low light scenarios. This allows capturing rich details in shadows and textures even in dark indoor environments without lots of image noise or artifacting.
Expanding the lens ecosystem would also grant more flexibility to switch between wide shots and narrow zooms during a shoot. Dual camera options specializing in thermal or multispectral imaging are also a possibility for niche applications like inspecting electrical infrastructure or identifying crop health issues.
Enhanced Obstacle Avoidance
The leaked image shows front, rear, bottom, and side-facing sensors on the Mavic 4 airframe allowing omnidirectional obstacle detection. This building on the forward and downward sensors already onboard the Mavic 2 drones.
With a full 360-degree sensory field of view, the Mavic 4 should prove much more adept at avoiding collisions in cluttered environments like forests or industrial facilities. It also enables advanced features like fixed position hovering indoors by creating a real-time 3D map of the surrounding area.
This expanded situational awareness means smoother, safer flights in locations that challenge a pilot‘s line of sight and reflexes. Automated avoidance of static obstacles and even moving objects like other drones takes a huge cognitive load off the user so they can focus more on capturing great shots.
Longer Flight Time
While not visible in the image itself, upgrades like more efficient brushless motors and propellers could grant longer maximum flight times per charge. So too could increases in battery capacities if the rear tubes indeed house auxiliary power rather than other sensors.
DJI may even employ smart battery management to squeeze every last drop of juice out of each cell before needing a hot swap. This seems in line with the other high-end performance specs expected of an Enterprise version.
Longer air time directly translates to covering more ground on mapping missions, capturing events from more angles, or inspecting higher numbers of assets in a single flight. Any flight time gains would be hugely appreciated by intensive commercial operators.
Future Expansion Capabilities
Enterprise drones see frequent use in rapidly evolving spaces like infrastructure inspection, public safety operations, and precision agriculture.
To keep up with customers‘ dynamic needs, DJI could make the Mavic 4 an expansion hub able to mount specialized third-party accessories. These could include things like multispectral cameras, lidar scanners, thermal sensors, spotlights, loudspeakers, or even cargo delivery mechanisms for future-forward applications.
The rear battery tubes could theoretically house modular payloads instead of just providing auxiliary power. Quick-release mounts and gimbal connectors would make swapping equipment simple for radically different missions with a single drone platform.
Offering this kind of flexible future extensibility would extend the Mavic 4‘s useful service life for years as technology continues advancing.
Autonomous Flight Modes
DJI‘s consumer drones already support intelligent flight modes like Track, Spotlight, Point of Interest, and Waypoints for dynamic automated shooting.
The Mavic 4 likely takes this a step further with the compute power necessary for truly autonomous navigation in complex situations. This includes GPS-denied environments like indoor spaces or dense urban areas that confuse satellite positioning.
With an array of cameras and sensors continuously mapping surroundings in 3D, the Mavic 4 could self-navigate following high-level movement commands from the pilot. Want to comprehensively scan a production line or film a coordinated drone light show? Just set the fly-by waypoints and let the Mavic 4 drones handle the rest independently.
Advanced autonomy would hand nearly full creative control to the pilot while not burdening them with minutiae of maneuvering a drone. Expect DJI‘s refined computer vision and artificial intelligence to slots right in here.
When Will the Mavic 4 Be Revealed?
With few clues to go on, DJI‘s typical product launch cycle suggests a 2023 announcement for the Mavic 4 seems plausible. The Mavic 2 line first debuted in 2018, while the original Mavic saw an annual upgrade cycle during its run.
However, with the supply chain issues and component shortages plaguing imports from China, the timing remains highly uncertain. New drone unveilings often coincide with prominent industry conferences like CES in January or InterGeo in October.
Either way, more concrete details will undoubtedly leak in the coming months for tech sleuths to dissect before DJI makes anything official.
DJI likes building hype by letting rumors and speculation around a new release percolate for months beforehand. Reading the tea leaves through leaked media and insider reports has become a spectator sport among drone enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the next generation.
Mavic Legacy at Stake
As drones continue their march into the mainstream, the entire market increasinglySplit up long paragraphpivots commercial applications like inspection, public safety operations, and precision agriculture over amateur photography and videography.
DJI commanded over 70% global market share through Q3 2022, but enterprise-focused rivals like Skydio and Autel Robotics now nip at its heels with advanced artificial intelligence and imaging capabilities more tailored towards professionals.
Meanwhile, Chinese competitor EHang leads the charge on autonomous air taxis and aerial logistics solutions. With such fierce and focused competition, DJI cannot afford to rest on its laurels in the consumer quadcopter segment that the Mavic range itself pioneered not long ago.
To defend its drone dominance, analysts believe DJI will split the Mavic line into two distinct series:
Mavic Air – Continuing the tradition of folding drones for hobbyists and aerial cinematographers. Offering just enough features at reasonable prices for mainstream appeal.
Mavic Pro – Doubling down onhigh-end performance aerial imaging solutions for commercial clients. Packed with cutting-edge software and sensors for enterprise applications.
This bifurcation between consumer and commercial products would allow DJI to cater specifically to both segments with dedicated feature sets and price points. We‘ve seen it start aligning its product portfolio this way with the release of the Mini drone line for hobbyists alongside the Matrice series for businesses.
If the leaks hold true, the upcoming DJI Mavic 4 likely signals the next generation of the venerable but venerable Pro lineage – rebuilt from the ground up for professionals.
With so much riding on living up to the Mavic name as the pioneering, premium flagship drone series of the world‘s leading aerial robotics company, we truly hope the final product meets these lofty expectations.
Final Predictions and Analysis
As a long-time DJI customer myself, I‘m incredibly excited at the possibility of a Mavic 4 drone purpose-built for commercial use in complex flying environments. I believe firmly believe that aerial robotics will transform industries from infrastructure management to emergency response over the next decade.
For that to happen, enterprises need capable, durable tools up for the task. From early glimpses, the DJI Mavic 4 could very well provide that complete professional package with folding portability when it launches.
My personal guess is the price falls somewhere between $3000-$4000 positioning it as an elite-tier drone with specifications to match. Expect a splashy announcement by August 2023 at the latest, just in time for the holiday shopping season.
DJI will want to get the Mavic 4 in businesses‘ budgets for next year ASAP after teasing things for months beforehand. Once in consumers‘ hands, breathtaking user videos showcasing its capabilities will market the drone better than any ad campaign could hope to.
What features would you like to see in the DJI Mavic 4 based on the leaks so far? Feel free to share your thoughts and reactions! I‘m happy to discuss more about the aerial robotics space and even get your enterprise use cases to pass as feedback to DJI‘s product team.