Is the DJI Air 2S is actually the first “crossover” drone? Ever since we first reported on the soon-to-be-released DJI Air 2S drone we’ve been studying it very closely. Even back when it was first leaked on a workbench as a potential prototype drone, the drone rumors started flying.
DJI recently entered it’s first FPV drone in that category and the response from FPV enthusiasts, as well as content creators, has been overwhelming. DJI’s FPV Combo is the closest yet to a turnkey system that gives you a real FPV experience.
But try flying a regular quadcopter in the style of an aerobatic FPV flight and it just doesn’t come across the same. At all.
So we think that DJI is creating a new ‘crossover’ category of drone with the Air 2S, which we now call the Air 2 Sport. With one foot in the folding quadcopter arena and the other in FPV will the DJI Air 2S be the first FPV enabled folding quadcopter with all of the camera specs that creators demand?
If so, the DJI Air 2S could actually be a ‘gateway drug’ to the FPV world for drone enthusiasts who aren’t really ready for the full ride. And who can blame them? If you’ve paid attention to the DJI FPV Facebook group you’ll see just how quickly some FPV noobs are crashing their new DJI FPV drones. The funny thing is that most of crash-pilots are taking them in stride. Sort of like “hey, I knew it was probably going to happen…”.
Forward Focused Obstacle Avoidance
So why do we think the DJI Air 2S is a quad/fpv crossover? From a design perspective it’s simply the orientation and location of the upward vision sensors.
By parking them at the front of the drone directly above the forward vision sensors and tilted slightly forward, the Air 2S will be able to sense an enormous area of space directly in front of it…especially when it has a nose down attitude as it would flying in Sport Mode.
All previous versions in the Mavic series with upward vision sensors have the sensor located at the rear of the aircraft. Makes sense, since usually the attitude of a Mavic quadcopter is basically level if your photographic or filming cinematically.
As we said above, moving the vision sensors forward creates one giant bubble of obstacle detection in front of the drone possible allowing for an enhanced obstacle avoidance experience. Maybe even APAS 4.0?
Not Omni-Directional
Honestly we were surprised that the Air 2S lacks side vision sensors. If you’ve flown a Circle Quickshot with a Mini 2 drone you’ll know what I mean. We’ve come close to crashing sideways several times simply because we’re so used to the 360º obstacle avoidance of the Mavic 2 Pro.
But putting all the pieces of this puzzle together it does make sense that DJI’s next drone is going to provide a taste of FPV flight to pilots who want the best of both worlds in a drone that includes a 20MP, 1″ CMOS sensor and 4K60 video.
What do you think? Are we guessing correctly that this is DJI’s first ‘Sport’ themed cinematic quadcopter? Let us know in the comments!
Whether we’re right or wrong, it seems we don’t have long to wait. The DJI Air 2S is expected to make it’s debut in about one week.
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