Will China Dominate UAV Technology?

Chinese consumer drone companies have been pace-setters in recent years, taking up more than 70% of global market share. Chinese military UAVs are also making significant progress. Swarm intelligence is the key to military artificial intelligence. In a recent flight experiment, the quantity of swarm fixed-wing UAV has reached 67, while the record was kept by US Navy at 50. This marks a significant breakthrough of China. It also means China has entered the first tier of UAV technology.

China has developed leading UAV technology, which is more advanced than that of US in a few fields. However, if China is to remain its juicy market share in consumer drones, the transition from functional drones to intelligent drones is necessary.

Portable drone Mavic is designed and produced by Chinese drone company DJI. When folded, it is the size of a water bottle. While the flight time of Mavic reached 27 minutes. GoPro released its Karma drone around the same time, which soon was recalled due to quality issues. Without intelligent features like obstacle sensing and automatic tracking, it is hardly a smart drone. Yang Jincai, President of Shenzhen UAV Industry Association said: “Everyday there is a new drone here in Shenzhen, the capital of drone.”

Shenzhen produces 70% consumer drones in the world. Giant like DJI and ZeroTech, or UAV start-ups, all rely on the mature electronic industry chain and government’s “Made in China 2025” strategy. The strategy is also beneficial to military drones. CH-5, China’s military UAV, has longer flight time and bigger bomb load than US Predator UAV.

Just in Aviation Industry Corporation of China, there are five crucial UAV lines including Long, Ying, Yiing, Bing and unmanned helicopter. In the 2016 Zhuhai Airshow, this company displayed their latest MagLev aircraft, which took an appearance of UFO in Sci-fi movies.

President Yang JIncai commented: “The manufacture of hardware and other industries are faced with the fourth industrial revolution.” Chinese corporations should make best of their advantages in software engineering and manufacture of intelligent hardware.

UAVs are the phosphor of “Made in China 2025”, requiring integration of more technologies including AI, VR and AR. Multiple cooperation is also needed to further the industry development.

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DJI Mavic competitor from ZeroTech…

DJI’s first foldable drone Mavic Pro is sought after as soon as it hit the market. Now another Chinese brand ZeroTech, maker of the Dobby, has introduced a similar product, a DJI Mavic competitor.

The aircraft can also be folded, which is almost the same size as the Dobby. At first glance, it’s very similar to DJI Mavic, but different in details. Such as the smaller size, the battery installation and the configuration. It seems it aims at hobby market.

The photos published on drone-rumour site sb-dji.com suggest a folding format drone. Specifications which at this time are rumor/speculation stand as follows:

• Approximately 7-15 minutes flight-time.
• 1.5km flight distance/range.
• Folding propellers.

The industry predicts that the performance of the drone will not be very high, at least is less powerful than Mavic Pro. The advantage is its price, it should be somewhere within $500 USD

What are your thoughts about the competitor? Please let us know in the comment below.

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Hope this helps anyone looking for Dobby samples

The compact Dobby‘s low price makes it hard to ignore, even if it is a light-duty device.

I have had this toy for a few days, I took it recently for a trip to Guatemala, what a joy it is, so small, in fits in my small camera bag, If a lens fits there, then the Dobby drone fits there also. It works quite good with my cell phone, although the range is not that good because it only uses WIFI , but so far I have really enjoyed it, easy to fly, decent quality photo, ok video.

One asked me some questions about the Dobby after I posted my images on the forums.

“Do the Android or OS WiFi apps work on a tablet as well as a phone?

Judging by the smooth waters, the sky above Atitlan must have been windless on the morning you shot the sample pictures. How would it fare in a breeze or >10mph wind?

How easy to navigate back to the dock? Had you selected “go home” would it return safely or possibly plunk into the water right next to the point of departure?  If you tell it to track you, would it follow you back to shore without getting lost?

Is the video mode impaired by motor vibrations as well as by tiny sensor?

What sort of battery life? 5 minutes?

Would you dare (or be allowed) to fly it above Tikal, Chichicastenango on market day, or Antigua? I imagine the local police, cacique, or archaeological custodian expects a fee or propina for usage.

When you try to check-in at an airport, is there any hesitation that the inspectors might seize it because it has an Li-ion battery?  This risk might also apply to high-end drones, in which case the low cost of the Dobby gives some relief, so long as one does not also lose the memory card with images too.”

Below are my answers.

“For photography is good, for video it is not.

it only works on WIFI, it does not come with a controller. I have tested with phone and tablet (both android) – works fine. However, WIFI has its limitations of distance and I do not push it… no risks for me.

It fairs okay in wind, however batteries last less. It is a very noisy drone. For photos, remember I said that for video it is no good – jello galore.

Zerotech has not perfected software, it needs 8 satellites minimum to start up, and if it looses GPS and you are high up, you are doomed.

Battery life is 5-8 minutes, depending on :

a) wind  b)If stabilizer for camera is on  c) temperature.

Would I use it in Tikal ? in a heartbeat if allowed.

Would I use it in market day ? no, for several reasons: a) put people in risk  b) I do not want to get clinched  c) I do not want my drone stolen etc etc.

In the airport they don’t even acknowledge my Dobby, it fits in my camera bag, batteries look good/small – no wires hanging.

I do not use return to home, follow me or stuff like that, I fly up take the pictures and land, its a flying camera for me.”

Hope this helps anyone looking for a Dobby or Dobby sample pictures.

 

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