DJI AirSense Will Soon Detect Other Aircraft in Massive Leap for UAV Safety

As UAVs become more common, there will inevitably be accidents – of both the intentional and accidental type.

We’ve already seen governments around the world roll out licensing programs for pilots and even passing strict legislation about where and when UAVs can fly.

And lockstep with these efforts are companies like DJI.

Part of these efforts also includes more advanced applications of existing technology or even new tech altogether.

In the case of DJI’s consumer-grade drones, its vaunted AirSense software will soon be able to detect other aircraft and help the units avoid collision according to an update from DPReview.

The reason we make the distinction between DJI’s consumer-grade drones and its commercial operations is that this technology is already part of the latter’s package of safety features.

How it all works is that AirSense is able to receive ADS-B signals from aircraft and DJI can thus make pilots aware of the location of these aircraft and their approach through its software.

All of this is part of a massive program on DJI’s part called “Elevating Safety.”

In their white paper, the company proposes a ten-point plan for drone safety and how DJI and others can work to improve that in the future.

The points made include installing ADS-B receivers on all drones weighing more than 250 grams as well as implementing geofencing and drone identification measures.

The 10 points from the white paper are as follows:

1. DJI will install ADS-B receivers in all new drones above 250 grams.
2. DJI will develop a new automatic warning for drone pilots flying at extended distances.
3. DJI will establish an internal Safety Standards Group to meet regulatory and customer expectations.
4. Aviation industry groups must develop standards for reporting drone incidents.
5. All drone manufacturers should install geofencing and remote identification.
6. Governments must require remote identification.
7. Governments must require a user-friendly knowledge test for new drone pilots.
8. Governments must clearly designate sensitive restriction areas.
9. Local authorities must be allowed to respond to drone threats that are clear and serious.
10. Governments must increase enforcement of laws against unsafe drone operation.

You can read the white paper by clicking here. You can also watch a video about it here.

Are you a drone pilot? What do you think of DJI’s implementation of AirSense tech in its consumer-grade drones? As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

[DPReview]