Last month we shared a DJI rumor about a new drone, possible a new Mavic Air…and today it’s official! Both the Mavic Air 2 drone and a new controller have appeared in the FCC database.
With a distinctly different square controller, the new Mavic Air 2 should also be the first consumer drone from DJI that sports an ADS-B transponder for safer integration in public airspace.
We think the larger controller design is purposely to accomodate new ADS-B receiver as well as the Occusync or Occusync 2.0 transmission system which is superior to wifi based controllers.
Related: DJI Adds Airplane And Helicopter Detectors To New Consumer Drones
Aside from the new controller shape, you’ll also notice the smartphone mount has moved to the top of the controller, putting it closer to the operator’s natural field of view.
Normally when a new product clears through FCC approval photos of the test subject appear in the filings. Strangely there are no real test photos at all in the new reports, which may be new FCC policy to enhance new product confidentiality
Luckily we have all of the photos we shared with you in our previous Mavic Air 2 article.
No leaked specs area available yet, but we know what will be at the top of drone pilots’ wish list:
- Occusync or Occusync 2.0
- 4K60fps
- Omni-directional obstacle avoidance
From the photos we can’t 100% verify that all of the sensors required for omnidirectional obstacle avoidance are present, but we think it’s a good bet.
You’ll also notice that the new Mavic Air 2 follows in the footsteps of the Mavic Mini by adopting a body design identical to the Mavic 2 Series. DJI is now fully on point with aligning the visual branding of it’s folding consumer drones. Gone is the mish-mash of dissimilar airframes such as the Spark and the original Mavic Air which looked like nothing else in the DJI drone family.
Given the challenges faced by China and the world with the Covid-19 breakout, we’re not suprised it took this long to get the new drone into testing and production. Normally DJI would have released a new product in the first quarter of this year, based on prior releases, and we fully expect other new produts including a refresh for the Osmo Pocket later this year.
Timelines vary from when a new drone is leaked in the FCC database to when you can actually buy it, and the Covid-19 issues will certainly impact this. But now that most of China is returning to normal, there will be ample production ahead of a late spring release.
Let us know if you have any further details or images on the new DJI Mavic 2 drone so we can share them as soon with our readers.
