That is not exactly just a bad pun - I have already commented upon the DJI drone announcement in a different weblog column.
But I've been asked to give a more authoritative version of it here on the Camera Electronic page - a note was sent to us by the importers of the DJI drone systems - and the details may well concern a number of the shop's customers.
Here's an brief outline:
DJI have sent word that they are going to introduce a new activation process for international customers ( I take that to mean everyone outside of China, where the devices are made.) It will apply to currently-owned drones as well as ones purchased in the future.
You will be required to send log-in information to the company in relation to update with a new version of DJI GO or GO4 app. This involves you having internet connection on your mobile phone or tablet to do this. The reason stated by DJI is that your drone needs to have the correct geospatial information and to be governed by geofencing bondaries and altitude limits.
If you don't clock in, do the update, and send the information, they apparently have the ability to turn off the live streaming on your drone and limit the flight envelope to a flattened dome around you of 50 metres and upwards to 30 metres. Line of your sight, as it were, and people who see your drone can likely see you...
DJI state that they want all pilots of their aircraft to obey applicable air safety regulations.
All good stuff, one assumes. The use of the internal gps coupled with some form of limiter that prevents you flying into the airspace of Perth Airport, Jandakot, or RAAF PEARCE would be a great comfort to other people in aircraft. I am also presuming someone has put electronic no-go zones around Karrakatta, Campbell or STIRLING. And the prisons. I would be interested to see if the same applies to Parliament House up on the hill.*
It does raise the speculation, however, of who sets those limits, and how those settings are routed through a company website to do it. Is the website used here in Australia? In China? In Langley, Virginia...? I don't know the answer - perhaps DJI or the Australian wholesalers can fill in this information.
It further opens a question in my mind about the on-going control of a product after it has been purchased. Few other items I could buy would have as long or as manipulative a line attaching me to their maker - my shirts do not report back to Big W and my shoes lace up the same way each day regardless of where my feet take them. The other products that I purchase from China - the cans of mushrooms and the model cars - all seem free of strings. Not so the green beans...
Is this statement triggered by the recent announcement by the FAA in America that it was not going to require registration of drones used for non-commercial purposes? Is it an attempt on the part of DJI to limit liabilities in case their products are used inappropriately? Are they wondering what their drones are doing out there? Or are they uncomfortably certain? We can only wait with bated breath for the next few months to see what new requirements will be put forward.
- Phooey. Or Fui, if you want to be cynical. Spies or dedicated kamikazes who want to use these things will be able to strip the regular guts out and add their own private flying systems anyway. The DJI regulation may prevent the bored bogan from flying them over the nurses' quarters on Bath Night but that is about all.
Featured Image: Wonder Woman overflies Stirling Street...
