DJI has teamed up with FLIR Systems to launch the Zenmuse XT2, its newest thermal camera for drones. As with the original XT model launched in 2015, the XT2 captures heat signatures to reveal things otherwise invisible to the naked eye. On-board FLIR MSX tech combines both the heat data and visual data from the camera into a single image for easier object identification.
The model features a 12MP 4K visual camera with a 1/1.7″ CMOS sensor (up to 8x digital zoom) and two different thermal resolutions: 336 x 256 (up to 4x digital zoom) and 640 x 512 (up to 8x digital zoom). It also sports 9mm, 13mm, 19mm, and 25mm lenses, and an IP44 rating for flights in fog, rain, snow, and smoke.
DJI’s Spotlight Pro tech utilizes both HeatTrack and QuickTrack flight modes to automatically track objects while the operator concentrates on incoming data and flight operations.
The Zenmuse XT2 thermal camera is designed for use in search and rescue operations, to perform industrial inspections, and more. The camera is compatible with the DJI Matrice 600 Pro and Matrice 200 Series enterprise drones; support will arrive first in the Android app followed later on by the iOS app.
Authorized DJI Enterprise dealers around the globe are now offering the Zenmuse XT2 thermal camera, but DJI hasn’t revealed the price. FLIR is accepting quote requests from potential customers, though.
Press Release
DJI Gives Drones More Power For Commercial Use
Zenmuse XT2 Thermal Camera And Payload SDK Transform DJI’s Drones Into Specialized Platforms For Any Industrial Purpose Including Inspections, Public Safety And Saving Lives
DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, unveiled new technology and tools to customize its enterprise drone platforms for specialized tasks such as infrastructure inspection, precision agriculture, firefighting and search and rescue.
The new Zenmuse XT2 thermal imaging camera, created in partnership with FLIR Systems, is a critical tool for drone operators to capture heat signatures invisible to the naked eye. Its side-by-side visual and thermal imaging sensors provide unparalleled data capture and situational awareness during emergency services, disaster recovery and industrial inspection uses. DJI’s powerful new Payload Software Development Kit (SDK) allows innovative drone startups, developers, and sensor and device manufacturers to easily integrate custom cameras, sensors and other types of payloads onto DJI drones, unlocking the true potential of drone technology for businesses, governments and researchers around the world.
“The Zenmuse XT2 continues our longstanding partnership with FLIR to create the most powerful thermal imaging solution available on a drone today. This is a significant advancement for public safety professionals who are using drones to save lives and creating new industrial applications across different verticals,” said Jan Gasparic, Head of Enterprise Partnerships at DJI. “Our new Payload SDK makes it possible for any manufacturer to create a payload specific to their customers’ needs that will work seamlessly with DJI’s aircraft. We believe these two advances will not only strengthen DJI’s leadership in the commercial drone industry, but will also provide a powerful, flexible and standardized platform which customers from different industries can build upon.”
Intelligent Thermal Data for Critical Missions
The Zenmuse XT2 is a powerful thermal imaging camera that transforms data into actionable insights. Its gimbal-stabilized, dual-sensor design combines an advanced FLIR® radiometric thermal imager and a 4K visual camera to allow drone operators to view thermal and visual data while in flight, delivering an unmatched level of versatility and image detail for high-performance uses from industrial inspections to public safety operations.
Professional drone operators can use on-board intelligent features like FLIR MSX® technology to combine visual and temperature data into one image, allowing operators to easily identify objects of concern. DJI’s unique Spotlight Pro features let operators focus on safe flight operations and data interpretation while the camera automatically tracks an object through two intelligent flight modes: QuickTrack centers the camera on the selected area while HeatTrack automatically tracks the hottest object in view. The Temp Alarm feature interprets thermal data in real-time and alerts drone operators when an object’s temperature exceeds critical thresholds.
“We are excited to continue our collaboration with DJI to develop sensors for their industry leading drone platforms,” said Frank Pennisi, President of the Industrial Business Unit at FLIR Systems. “The Zenmuse XT2 uses a radiometric thermal imaging camera core to capture accurate temperature data for every pixel, ensuring that drone operators have access to as much information as possible during critical and often lifesaving missions.”
The Zenmuse XT2 is compatible with DJI’s Matrice 200 Series and Matrice 600 Pro enterprise drones. It will be first available for the DJI Pilot mobile app for Android and later for the DJI XT Pro mobile app for iOS devices. Its rugged design and IP44 ingress protection rating gives it versatility to be flown in a wide variety of conditions including rain, snow, smoke and fog[1]. With a 12-megapixel visual camera, it is available in two thermal sensor resolutions of 640 x 512 or 336 x 256, with 9mm, 13mm, 19mm, and 25mm lenses.
For more information on the Zenmuse XT2, please visit: dji.com/zenmuse-xt2.
The Future of Commercial Drone Customization
DJI’s new Payload SDK enables non-DJI cameras, sensors, and payloads like air-to-ground communications tools and devices to be mounted and integrated directly into DJI’s Matrice 200 Series drones. By opening this layer of DJI’s core technology to the commercial drone ecosystem, any manufacturer, developer or researcher can create a drone that is customized for a specific purpose or industry.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
